Fr. Francis C. Santilli
Placed on leave in 2/2022 due to an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor in 1979 or 1980. Santilli had been pastor of St. Philip in Greenville since 2010 when suspended. Per the Diocese, it received an allegation on 12/29/2021 against a priest currently active in the diocese, without naming him. State police investigated and interviewed the alleged victim, who named Santilli, then informed the Diocese 2/2/2022. The Diocese had received reports of the sexual abuse of minors by Santilli twice before: in 2012 a man alleged abuse as a young altar in the early 1980s, and said Santilli also molested his brother, who died by suicide in 1997; in 2014 a man alleged abused by Santilli as an altar boy, age 10, in 1980 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Providence. The Diocesan Review Board determined that both the 2012 and 2014 allegations lacked credibility, and Santilli was kept in ministry. The man who came forward in 2014 unsuccessfully filed suit in 5/2022. Included as of 2/2026 on the Diocese’s list of credibly accused. Included in the 3/4/2026 RI Attorney General’s Report, which notes allegations of the sexual abuse against Santilli of at least three altar boys, ages 7-12, occurring in the early 1980s. Santilli’s modus operandi is said to have been to place boys in his lap, tickle them, touch their genitals over and under their clothes, and rub his genitals against them. The cases could not be prosecuted because of the statute of limitations. Santilli was a member of the Diocesan Review Board 2009-2012. In 3/2026 he remains suspended.
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- Letter from Diocese to RI State Police 04.17.12
- All Letters from Diocese to RI State Police
- Diocese of Providence Response to SNAP 03.24.14
- Church of the Holy Ghost 08.29.19
- Providence Journal 02.03.22
- WPRI 02.03.22
- Providence Journal 02.04.22
- Boston Globe 02.04.22
- Providence Journal 02.10.22
- Providence Journal 03.24.22
- Providence Journal 05.20.22
- Diocese of Providence List 02.02.26
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