Sister Mary Claudine

Full Name: Sister M. Claudine Picard; Also Known As: Gert Picard

Religious Order: Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Status: Settled

Deceased: 2019

Assignment History

Dates unknown: Catholic schools in the Diocese of Providence
Dates unknown: Parish ministries in the Providence area
2019: Mount St. Rita Health Centre (Cumberland, RI)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Sister Mary Claudine

Sister M. Claudine Picard, also known as Gert Picard, was a religious sister with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. According to her obituary, she was a Sister of Mercy for 69 years, taught in numerous schools in the Diocese of Providence, and ministered in several parishes in the Providence area.

According to BishopAccountability.org, Sister Mary Claudine’s name was included in the Diocese of Providence’s September 2002 settlement involving 36 sexual abuse lawsuits. The $13.5 million settlement reportedly involved allegations against 11 priests and one nun.

The publicly available source information does not provide detailed allegations against Sister Mary Claudine, including the name of a specific school, parish, or time period connected to the claim. Settlement of a civil claim is not the same as a criminal conviction or admission of liability.

Sister Mary Claudine died on September 16, 2019, at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Based on the available source information, Sister Mary Claudine does not appear to be included on the Rhode Island Attorney General’s list of credibly accused clergy, or on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sister Mary Claudine

Can I sue for sexual abuse by a religious sister 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 religious sister?

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 Sister Mary Claudine listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Providence?

Based on the available source information, no. Sister Mary Claudine was named in connection with the Diocese of Providence’s 2002 clergy sexual abuse settlement, but she does not appear to be included on the Diocese of Providence list of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

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, religious sisters, religious order members, and other clergy in the Diocese of Providence. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest, religious sister, religious order member, or clergy member 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.

Sister Mary Claudine – Diocese of Providence