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 behavior “inappropriate” but nothing else. Released from jail. Assigned by Providence Bishop Gelineau to a parish in the diocese. Removed in 2002, accused of sexually abusing a boy, ages 12-14, about 35 years prior. Absent on Leave 2002-2005. Retired in 2005. Died 7/21/2018. In 9/2019 a 50-year-old man stated publicly that Demers abused him at age 7 or 8 at St. Joseph’s. He sued 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. Dismissed in 10/2020, the judge ruling that church leadership cannot be labeled “perpetrators.” The RI Supreme Court affirmed the ruling in 6/2023.