Fr. Joseph A. Abruzzese
In 10/1993 a 16-year-old boy reported to police in that Abruzzese grabbed and fondled him in a local park. Abruzzese was assigned at the time to St. Anthony’s in North Providence. Criminally charged, then placed on leave 12/1/1993. Pleaded no contest in 1994 to second-degree sexual assault. Sentenced to five years’ probation and counseling. Despite his plea, Abruzzese maintained that he was innocent. He was allowed to reside at St. Joseph’s until 6/1997; by 11/1997 Abruzzese was living at St. Ann’s in Providence. In 1/1999 a victims group complained to Bishop Muvee that Abruzzese was participating in masses at the Cathedral and St. Ann’s. The Official Catholic Directory shows him Absent on Leave in the 1994-2002, after which he is no longer listed. In 2006 the Diocese held an administrative penal process, as instructed by the Vatican. The process ended in 2008; Bishop Tobin and the canonical assessors found that there was insufficient evidence of Abruzzese’s guilt. Tobin, however, did not return Abruzzese to ministry, citing his concern that, if he did, victims’ advocacy groups “would immediately respond in a manner that would be damaging…. .” Abruzzese appealed to the Vatican. Included on the Diocese’s 7/1/2019 list of credibly accused (name misspelled Abbruzzese). Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report.
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