PROVIDENCE (RI)
Andreozzi + Foote [Harrisburg, PA]
June 26, 2026
By Andreozzi + Foote
Key Takeaways
- According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, Father Richard Holden was accused of sexually abusing five boys during his ministry in the Diocese of Providence.
- Holden is included on the Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence.
- Rhode Island’s childhood sexual abuse revival window may allow survivors to pursue civil claims against institutions that employed, supervised, or retained clergy members accused of abuse.
Who Was Father Richard Holden?
Father Richard Holden was a priest of the Diocese of Providence who served in Rhode Island parishes for 21 years.
Born on September 23, 1939, Holden was ordained on May 23, 1964. According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, his assignments included:
- 1964: St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Narragansett
- 1964–1970: St. Aloysius Church, Woonsocket
- 1970–1971: Sacred Heart Church, Pawtucket
- 1971–1985: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Coventry
Holden died on March 23, 1985, at the age of 46.
Holden was publicly identified on Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence and the 2019 Diocese of Providence’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
Allegations Against Father Richard Holden
According to the AG’s Report, “Father Richard Holden reportedly sexually abused five boys during his 21 years in ministry. Holden reportedly ‘approached a boy in a sexual manner’ in the early to mid-1960s while assigned to St. Aloysius Parish in Woonsocket and reportedly abused the other four boys from 1970 to 1982 while assigned to St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Coventry. According to records provided by the Diocese to the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, Diocesan officials were not notified of any of the allegations against Father Holden until after his death in 1985.”
The first documented complaint was made to the Diocese in 1997, when a man alleged Holden sexually abused him repeatedly while he was a high school student between 1972 and 1979. According to the Attorney General’s Report, there is no indication the Diocese followed up with the complainant after receiving his report.
In 2010, another man alleged Holden repeatedly performed oral sex on him between 1980 and 1982 when was a teenager. The survivor also reported that Holden purchased Playboy magazines for him before returning to the rectory, where the abuse allegedly occurred. He further stated that he believed Holden had also abused his older brother.
The Diocese received three additional allegations in 2013, 2019, and 2020, including reports that Holden sexually approached boys while assigned to St. Aloysius Church, sexually abused a 16-year-old in the early 1970s, and sexually abused another teenager during a trip to Massachusetts in 1979.
By the time the allegations were referred to the Rhode Island State Police, Holden had been dead for decades. As a result, law enforcement documented the allegations but did not conduct a further investigation.
The Diocese’s Response
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report, the first documented sexual abuse allegation against Father Richard Holden was not received until 1997. However, diocesan records from 1967 “indicate possible earlier complaints about him.”
The report cites one letter referencing “‘unkind rumors’” about Holden, likely while he served at St. Aloysius Church in Woonsocket, though the records do not explain what those rumors involved. Another diocesan letter from the same year states that Holden remained at St. Aloysius due to “‘unusual circumstances involved in the matter.’” There is no explanation as to what those circumstances were.
Readers seeking additional information regarding the allegations against Father Holden and the Diocese’s response should review Appendix A of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s 2026 Report.
Why Accountability Within the Catholic Church Still Matters
History has shown that individuals who sexually abuse children frequently continue their abusive behavior.
When allegations are minimized, concealed, or inadequately investigated, additional children may remain at risk. In many cases, victims, parents, or members of the community voiced concerns, only to be dismissed.
For these reasons, accountability remains important today. Examining how allegations were (and are) handled by church leaders can help uncover institutional failures, provide answers to survivors, and drive reforms designed to better protect children in the future.
Were You Harmed by Father Richard Holden?
Although Father Richard Holden died in 1985, survivors may still have legal options against the Diocese or other responsible institutions.
Rhode Island’s child sexual abuse revival window has created an opportunity for survivors to pursue civil claims that may have previously been barred by the statute of limitations.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse across the nation. Our team takes a trauma-informed approach to every case, ensuring survivors are heard, supported, and empowered throughout the legal process.
If you were abused by Father Richard Holden, or another clergy member, we encourage you to contact us today to learn about your legal options.
Every consultation is free and completely confidential.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law