Fr. Normand J. Demers

Providence priest. Founded an orphanage and school in Haiti. In 1989 boys at the orphanage complained about inappropriate touch and explicit sexual references. Arrested in Haiti. Haitian authorities apparently said the behavior was “inappropriate” but nothing else. Released from jail. Sent to St. Luke Institute for treatment for about five months 1989-1990. Assigned by Providence Bishop Gelineau to a parish in the diocese. Accused of sexually abusing several young men during that time, one reported in 2016. Removed from ministry in 2002, accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 12-14, about 35 years prior. Absent on Leave 2002-2005. Retired in 2005. Despite the removal of his faculties, Demer was seen celebrating a memorial mass for a priest at St. Martha’s Parish. Demers died 7/21/2018. Included on the Diocese’s 7/1/2019 list of credibly accused. In 9/2019 a 50-year-old man stated publicly that Demers abused him at age 7 or 8 at St. Joseph Parish. He sued on 2/27/2020; said he saw boys at the rectory brought by Demers from Haiti and Central America. The suit also claims that Demers trafficked boys as early as the 1970s through his charities, and had parties in the rectory with some boys wearing diapers and made to pose for “sexually suggestive” photos. The case was dismissed in 10/2020, the judge ruling that church leadership cannot be labeled “perpetrators.” The RI Supreme Court affirmed the ruling in 6/2023. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report, which notes that the Diocese knew as early as 1965 of possible misconduct by Demers, after which he was assigned to a hospital until 1973. There was a report to the Diocese in 1967 that Demers was seen naked in bed with a shirtless teenage boy, at a lake cottage. Demers was assigned to LaSalle Academy and Dismas House (for troubled boys) 1974-1976; one boy reported in 1976 that he ran away from Dismas house because Demers was “making passes” at him; at least five other men alleged in the 2000s sexual abuse by Demers during that time. There were more allegations in 1985, including that Demers had boys living with him in the rectory. A religious sister, who was a pastoral associate at St. Joseph’s, expressed concern to Bishop Gelineau, who only responded after she threatened to go to the media. Demers then fired the sister.