Father Robert A. Carpentier

Ordained: 1967

Status: Settled; retired in 2006

Deceased: 2012

Assignment History

Summer 1967: St. Clare Church (Misquamicut, RI)
1967-1969: Precious Blood Church (Woonsocket, RI)
1969-1973: St. Agatha Church (Woonsocket, RI)
1973-1976: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church (Woonsocket, RI)
Summer 1976: St. Mary Church (Newport, RI)
1976-1982: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (North Providence, RI)
1982-1992: St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church (Nasonville, RI)
1992: St. John the Evangelist Church (Slatersville, RI)
April-May 1992: Medical Leave of Absence, Institute of Living (Hartford, CT)
1992-1994: Sabbatical, Boston College
1994-2006: Leave of Absence
2006: Retired

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Robert A. Carpentier

Father Robert A. Carpentier was ordained a priest in 1967 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, Carpentier has been identified as credibly accused of child sexual misconduct. He served at several Rhode Island parishes, including Precious Blood Church, St. Agatha Church, and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Woonsocket.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Carpentier was removed from ministry in April 1992 after a man reported that Carpentier sexually abused him when he was 13 years old. The alleged abuse reportedly occurred from approximately 1973 to 1974, while Carpentier was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Woonsocket.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, diocesan officials first learned of the allegation in April 1992, when a family member of the complainant met with Auxiliary Bishop Angell and reported that the complainant had recently disclosed the abuse. The complainant alleged that Carpentier was close with his family, who were parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and used his position of trust with the family to groom him.

The complainant reportedly alleged that the abuse included fondling, masturbation, and oral sex, continued for more than a year, and included out-of-state trips with Carpentier. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, handwritten diocesan notes stated that Carpentier admitted “that indeed he had sexually molested” the complainant when the complainant was 13 years old.

Following the report, Carpentier reportedly agreed to resign from his parish and be evaluated at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, there is no record that the Diocese reported the admitted sexual abuse to law enforcement.

After meeting with diocesan officials, Carpentier reportedly drafted a letter to parishioners stating that he was taking a “medical leave of absence” due to “mental tiredness and anxieties.” He remained at the Institute of Living until May 1992. The report states that evaluators found no problem that required attention and concluded that Carpentier was “not a pedophile.” Despite that assessment, Carpentier remained on leave from ministry and later attended a Diocese-funded sabbatical at Boston College.

In October 1992, the complainant filed a civil lawsuit against Carpentier and the Diocese of Providence. The lawsuit reportedly included the complainant’s wife and children as plaintiffs. Questions in the case regarding the statute of limitations were referred to the Rhode Island Supreme Court, which ruled against the plaintiffs in 1996.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s report, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge ordered the Diocese in July 2002 to turn over internal records relating to priests accused of sexual abuse. The Diocese settled claims against Carpentier and others two months later as part of a $13.5 million settlement involving 36 survivors of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Carpentier remained on leave of absence until he retired in 2006. He died on May 9, 2012.

In 2020, a second complainant reportedly came forward through an attorney and alleged that Carpentier sexually abused him as a young boy while Carpentier was assigned to St. Agatha Church in Woonsocket from 1969 to 1973. The Diocese forwarded the allegation to Rhode Island State Police in June 2020. The investigation was reportedly closed after the complainant declined to provide a statement.

Carpentier was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 2019. He was also included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father Robert A. Carpentier

Can I sue for sexual abuse by a priest in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, allows survivors of child sexual abuse to file claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. You can bring a claim during this two-year window regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Because there is a deadline to file your claim, survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How long do I have to sue for sexual abuse in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year window for certain older child sexual abuse claims beginning July 1, 2026. Claims must be filed by June 30, 2028. Survivors should not wait, because it may be necessary to gather relevant documents, investigate the claim, and determine the appropriate parties to sue.

Can the Diocese of Providence be sued for my sexual abuse by a priest?

Possibly. Survivors may have claims against the Diocese of Providence or another Catholic institution, including parishes and schools, if there is evidence that the institution knew or should have known about the risk of abuse and failed to protect children. Horowitz Law attorneys can review the facts of your case and explain your legal options.

Was Father Robert A. Carpentier listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father Robert A. Carpentier was included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was also included in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Rhode Island’s new law creates a two-year revival window, beginning July 1, 2026, for certain older child sexual abuse claims. Horowitz Law is bringing these lawsuits in Rhode Island and has collected evidence of the Diocese of Providence’s negligence. The revival window allows survivors of clergy sexual abuse to pursue claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations. Filing deadlines will apply, so survivors should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Horowitz Law Is Here to Help

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Providence. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Providence may have legal options due to Rhode Island’s new two-year revival window for certain child sexual abuse claims, but filing deadlines will apply, so do not delay in reaching out to us.

Father Robert A. Carpentier – Diocese of Providence