Former Woonsocket Priest Banned from Service over Alleged Sexual Misconduct

The Valley Breeze
July 1, 2016

http://www.valleybreeze.com/2016-07-01/woonsocket-north-smithfield/former-woonsocket-priest-banned-service-over-alleged-sexual#.V3d2WvmLS02

A priest who served in the Diocese of Providence for nearly 50 years, including a stint in Woonsocket, was removed from service this week under allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Rev. Samuel Turillo was ordained to the priesthood in 1946 and served at St. Anthony in Woonsocket from 1962-1965. He retired from active ministry in 1994 and will soon be 96 years old. Turillo has now been prohibited by the diocese from exercising sacred ministry over an incident that allegedly took place 60 years ago.

In a statement, diocese officials said the had received an accusation and immediately reported the information to the Rhode Island State Police and the Attorney General’s Office.

"Simultaneously, diocesan officials launched an investigation that concluded the allegation was of a credible nature," it states. "The Diocese of Providence takes very seriously all allegations of abuse and works closely with law enforcement agencies in accordance with the Charter and diocesan policy when an allegation of abuse is reported. Church law is firm and consistent regardless of the age of the accused priest or the time frame of the alleged incident."

Turillo had assignments at St. Benedict, Warwick from 1946-1946; St. Patrick, Providence from 1946-1948; Sacred Heart, West Warwick from 1948-1953; St. Mary, Cranston from 1953-1954; Holy Angels, Barrington from 1954-1962; St. Joseph Hospital, Providence from 1962-1962; St. Anthony, Woonsocket from 1962-1965; St. Ann, Providence from 1965-1971; St. Joseph, Hope Valley from 1971-1979 and Sacred Heart, West Warwick from 1979-1994.

The Diocese urges anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, or with credible knowledge of such abuse, by any member of the church to report the information to the Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit 401-444-1000, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office 401 274- 4400 or the diocesan Office of Compliance at 401-941-0760.