Fr. Robert A. Marcantonio

Bishop Reilly knew in 1970 that Marcantonio had molested 12- to 14-year-old boys. A RI psychiatrist who evaluated Marcantonio that year said that Marcantonio had had “homosexual relationships” with as many as ten to fifteen boys. Marcantonio was sent to Ames, IA for treatment and was allowed parish and school ministry in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. While in IA he earned a PhD in psychology. He was also reportedly on the Board of Directors of the Boys Club of Ames. He continued to abuse. In 1975 he moved to the Providence and Fall River, MA and dioceses, where he worked in counseling at colleges and was allowed parish ministry. In 9/1981 two teenage boys reported to the Providence Diocese that Marcantonio had propositioned them. He was kept in ministry. Marcantonio was removed 8/16/1989 after a report that he had sexually abused an altar boy in Ames IA 1973-1975, beginning when the boy was 13. The alleged abuse included rape. Marcantonio was sent for a psychological evaluation and Bishop Gelineau “granted” him a sabbatical to pursue studies at URI in Kingston. The alleged victim filed suit in 12/1989 in TX. It was dismissed on jurisdiction issues and refiled in 1990 in IA. The same plaintiff filed another suit 1991 in IA, naming more defendants; it settled by 1994. Marcantonio moved to AZ by late 1993. He had told Bishop Gelineau that he wanted to move west, where reporters weren’t chasing him and where he could find peace. He said he’d gotten teaching job at a small state institution. Six suits were filed in 1993 and one in 1994 in RI. Some claims were included in a 9/2002 settlement with the Providence diocese. Marcantonio died 10/20/1999. One claim settled in 8/2008 as part of a $1.326M settlement by the Providence diocese. Cited in a 11/2008 RICO suit. Included 7/1/2019 on the Providence diocese’s list of credibly accused. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report, which notes that Marcantonio has been accused of sexually abusing at least 17 boys. His known victims were as young as age 8.