Fr. Louis Ward Dunn

Ordained: 1947
Status: Convicted

Died: 04/18/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Providence RI

Placed on leave in 1994 after a woman made a complaint to the bishop of sexual misconduct toward her by Dunn when she was a minor. Lawsuit filed in 1995. Dunn was criminally tried on two separate rape allegations; one was dismissed. Convicted in the second. Received a 10-year suspended sentence. At least two other lawsuits were filed. Died 4/18/2001. Some claims settled in 2002. One of the original complainants did not settle; she carried her case all the way to the RI Supreme Court, which dismissed it in 2/2008. Appealed to the US Supreme Court. Included 7/1/2019 on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused.

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