Fr. Joseph G. McCra
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 2/2/2026. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report, which shows that. McCra was accused of sexually abusing two boys and tried to molest others. Further, Bishop McVinney was aware of the allegations and kept McCra in ministry. McVinney was bishop 1948-1971. In 9/1951 an employee of a parish reported seeing McCra wrestle altar boys and put his hands inside their pants; in 7/1952 a parish assistant priest told McVinney a boy was spending every Sunday afternoon in the rectory with McCra, and that he took the boy with him to Canada for a vacation. McCra was put on a short leave then reassigned to another parish, then to another within a year after an unspecified complaint. In 1955 a boy reported that McCra sexually abused him and another boy the previous year in McCra’s vacation home, plying them with alcohol. The same year another boy reported a similar experience. Both said McCra brought friends who drank alcohol; one said one of McCra’s friends tried to touch him. McCrae was suspended by early 1956, then assigned him a few months later as chaplain to a convalescents home; McCra was also allowed to assist on weekends at parishes. At McCra’s request, the bishop reassigned him in 2/1958, to the Novitiate of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. He was again suspended, in 1961, and sent to a priests’ home, Fraternite Sacerdotale, in Montreal. McCra pleaded with the bishop to be reinstated; in 9/1961 McCra was assigned to a parish in Woonsocket. He died 5/14/1964.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.