Father William Tanguay

William Tanguay Catholic Priest Diocese of Providence

Ordained: 1969

Status: Settled / Removed from Ministry

Deceased: No

Assignment History

1969: Immaculate Conception Church (Cranston, RI)
1969-1974: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (North Providence, RI)
1974-1983: Church of St. Michael the Archangel (Providence, RI)
1983-1984: Pastoral Care of Hmong Refugees (Minneapolis, MN)
1984-1995: Church of St. Michael the Archangel / Director, Hmong Ministry (Providence, RI)
1995-2000: Hmong Ministry, Diocese of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
2000: Suspended on leave / St. John Vianney Center (Downingtown, PA)
2000-2002: Hmong Ministry, Diocese of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
2002: Suspended on leave / faculties withdrawn
2008: Retired

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father William Tanguay

Father William Tanguay was ordained a priest in 1969 and served in the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island for several decades. According to media reports, he also worked in Hmong ministry in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Charlotte. 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, Tanguay 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According to BishopAccountability.org, Tanguay was suspended in 2000, later had his faculties withdrawn in 2002, and was granted retirement in 2008. He returned to Rhode Island in 2023.

Allegations Against Father William Tanguay

According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report, Tanguay was accused of soliciting four teenagers and a young man for sex between 1965 and 1987. The report states that all but one of the alleged victims were homeless or from poor families.

The allegations reportedly included Tanguay offering food, money, or a place to stay, and then sexually abusing victims. According to BishopAccountability.org, some allegations involved oral sex, restraint, physical abuse, drugs, and alcohol.

One accuser reportedly said that Tanguay was well known to homeless boys in the neighborhood, many of whom were allegedly abused by him.

Diocese of Providence Response to Father William Tanguay Allegations

According to BishopAccountability.org, diocesan records show that the first report of abuse involving Tanguay was received in March 2000. He was suspended in June 2000 and sent to St. John Vianney Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, for a psychiatric evaluation.

Tanguay was later returned to active ministry. In June 2002, after several more allegations, Tanguay requested a leave of absence and his faculties were withdrawn.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Tanguay later relocated to Thailand and became employed as a schoolteacher. One of his alleged Providence victims received a settlement in 2005.

Father William Tanguay and Institutional Failures

Tanguay’s case reflects concerns raised in the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 report about clergy who remained in ministry or returned to ministry after allegations of sexual misconduct were reported.

According to the available source information, Tanguay was suspended in 2000 after a report of abuse, sent for evaluation, and then returned to active ministry before additional allegations were received and his faculties were withdrawn in 2002.

Tanguay 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 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 Tanguay

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, youth programs, or diocesan ministries, 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 Tanguay listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Yes. Father William Tanguay 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 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 Tanguay – Diocese of Providence