Fr. Joseph D’Angelo

Included on the Diocese’s 7/1/2019 list of credibly accused. Died 1/15/2026. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report, which shows that D’Angeleo was suspended from ministry in Providence 1983-1994, was assigned in the Diocese of Isernia-Venafro Italy 1994-1997, and was suspended again from 1997 until 2006, when he was laicized. During his four years in the Diocese of Providence D’Angelo was accused of sexually abusing at least four boys, ages 10-12. In 1983, after reports of abuse, D’Angelo was ordered by Gelineau to be evaluated by the Servants of the Paraclete in NM; D’Angelo instead fled to Rome and appealed his case to the Vatican. He returned to the States in 1984, living in Everett MA. In 7/1984 he filed complaints with the Diocese Grievance Committee that Gelineau and his former pastor had defamed him and violated canon law, then returned to Rome to appeal to the Vatican. Gelineau continued to refuse D’Angelo’s reinstatement in Providence. D’Angelo stayed in Italy. In 1993 he was accused of sexually abusing a boy in Murialdo, Italy. Despite this, he was allowed ministry in the Diocese of Isernia-Venafro, with approval from the Vatican and no objection from Bishop Gelineau. His faculties were suspended in 12/1997 after a lawsuit in Providence in 1996 was filed by a man alleging abuse as a child in 1981. The  suit settled as part of the Diocese’s 9/2002 $13.5M mass settlement of 36 sexual abuse lawsuits alleging abuse by 11 priests and a nun. Per the Attorney General’s report, in 1975 D’Angelo was denied admission to the priesthood by a religious order. The Diocese of Providence accepted him as a candidate after requiring D’Angelo to undergo a psychological evaluation; the evaluation showed that D’Angelo “might present a problem… .”  in 1977 D’Angelo underwent another psychological evaluation at House of Affirmation in Whitinsville MA, after which Bishop Gelineau allowed D’Angelo ministry while continuing outpatient therapy. After complaints from laity and colleagues in 1978, Bishop Gelineau decided not to ordain D’Angelo. D’Angelo appealed and the Church’s Grievance Committee “found in his favor.” He was ordained in 1979.