Father William O’Connell

William O’Connell Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1950

Status: Convicted / Accused

Deceased: 1996

Assignment History

1950: St. Andrew Church (New Shoreham/Block Island, RI)
1950-1952: St. Francis Church (South Kingstown/Wakefield, RI)
1952-1953: St. Brendan Church (East Providence/Riverside, RI)
1953: St. Michael Church (Smithfield/Georgiaville, RI)
1953-1958: U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps
1958-1961: SS. Peter and Paul Church (West Warwick, RI)
1961-1966: St. Mary Church (Providence, RI)
1966-1967: St. Joseph Church (Central Falls, RI)
1967: Sacred Heart Church (Pawtucket, RI)
1967-1972: Holy Ghost Church (Tiverton, RI)
1972-1985: St. Mary Church (Bristol, RI)
1985: Resigned
1988: Suspended on leave

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father William O’Connell

Father William O’Connell was ordained a priest in 1950 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for more than three decades. He is one of several Catholic clergy members connected to Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Providence.

According to the Diocese of Providence list of credibly accused clergy, O’Connell has been identified as credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was also included on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

According to BishopAccountability.org, O’Connell was accused of sexually abusing at least 23 children between approximately 1950 and 1985. The report described him as one of the most notorious offender priests in the Diocese of Providence. O’Connell died on May 12, 1996.

Allegations Against Father William O’Connell

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, many of the allegations against O’Connell involved his time at St. Mary Church in Bristol, where he served from 1972 to 1985.

The report states that diocesan officials received warnings about O’Connell’s conduct before his criminal conviction. In 1978, a fellow priest reportedly wrote to Bishop Louis Gelineau and Auxiliary Bishop Kenneth Angell about concerns involving O’Connell and young boys, including overnight trips. According to the report, Bishop Gelineau found the report “unconvincing,” and Auxiliary Bishop Angell directed the priest to gather more evidence.

In 1984, another priest reportedly raised concerns about O’Connell’s conduct with young boys. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, O’Connell was arrested shortly after that warning.

Criminal Case Against Father William O’Connell

In 1986, O’Connell pleaded nolo contendere to 26 counts related to the sexual abuse of two boys in Rhode Island. He was sentenced to one year in prison and was later ordered to return to Saint Luke Institute in Maryland for treatment.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, before O’Connell’s discharge from Saint Luke Institute in 1988, staff warned Auxiliary Bishop Angell that O’Connell remained a high risk for relapse.

O’Connell was later arrested in New Jersey in 1994 after authorities reportedly found thousands of photographs of naked boys. In 1995, he was sentenced to 10 years in a New Jersey treatment center for sex offenders. He died in custody on May 12, 1996.

Diocese of Providence Response to Father William O’Connell Allegations

O’Connell’s case reflects a pattern seen in many clergy abuse cases: warnings were reported to church officials before decisive action was taken.

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, diocesan leaders had multiple opportunities to intervene before O’Connell’s 1986 conviction. The report states that concerns were raised by fellow priests in 1978 and 1984, but O’Connell remained in ministry until his resignation in 1985.

The report also states that, even after treatment providers warned that O’Connell remained a high risk for relapse, the Diocese did not have an adequate system to monitor known abuser priests.

Father William O’Connell and Institutional Failures

O’Connell’s case is one of the most serious examples cited in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report. According to the report, he was one of several priests accused of abusing large numbers of children over many years.

The allegations against O’Connell involved multiple parishes, decades of access to children, and repeated warning signs that were not acted on quickly enough. His case illustrates the consequences of allowing accused clergy to remain in or near ministry despite known risks to children.

O’Connell 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 on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the Attorney General’s 2026 report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father William O’Connell

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, schools, treatment programs, or youth-serving institutions, 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 William O’Connell listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father William O’Connell 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 on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy in Appendix A of the 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 connected to the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by a priest or clergy member in Rhode Island 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 William O’Connell – Diocese of Providence