Former Woonsocket Priest Accused Of Child Molestation

WOONSOCKET, RI — A former priest at Holy Family Church in Woonsocket has been indicted on 12 counts of child molestation involving three male victims who were under the age of 14 at the time of the assaults.

According to a statement made by Attorney General Peter F. Nerohna, Rev. John Petrocelli was arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on Thursday and charged with three counts of first-degree child molestation and nine counts of second-degree child molestation under the indictment returned by the grand jury on November 2.

Prosecutors say Petrocelli sexually molested the victims while he served as Holy Family's assistant pastor between Nov. 6, 1981 and October 3, 1990.

“There is nothing more critical to the mission of my office than to deliver justice on behalf of victims and of the people of Rhode Island, regardless of the time that has passed after the alleged offense,” Neronha said in a press release.“Our ongoing review of alleged misconduct by clergy in Rhode Island is intended to achieve that result wherever possible.”

According to the press release, Neronha's office has been conducting a review of allegations of clergy child sexual abuse and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence’s handling of such allegations and has gained access to Diocese of Providence records.

"Where the Office's review develops evidence of alleged criminal misconduct, the Office and the Rhode Island State Police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of such alleged misconduct and bringing criminal charges where appropriate," writes Nehrona.

In response to the review by the Attorney General's Office, the Diocese of Providence has posted a list of “credibly accused Diocesan Priests” on its website that is part of its effort to address such allegations. Petrocelli's name was publicly added to the list in July 2019, with his entry stating that he is 74 years old and was assigned to St. Anne Church in Providence from 1971 to 1976, Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul in Providence from 1976 to 1981, Holy Family Church in Woonsocket from 1981 to 1990, Our Lady of Fatima in North Providence from 1990 to 1994, and St. Joseph Hospital in Providence from 1994 to 2002.

“Because the sexual abuse of minors affects the entire Church, all members of the Church share in a common mission to work towards its prevention while bringing the healing presence of Christ to bear wherever possible,” the Diocese states on its website. "In the enactment of our diocesan Child Protection and Outreach Policy, the diocese has a strong and long-standing commitment to utilize every means possible to protect the well-being of all children and young people involved in diocesan schools, parishes and youth programs."

The Diocese of Providence issued a statement following the indictment saying that it learned through media reports on November that John Petrocelli was arrested on child molestation charges, assuring that he was removed from all duties in 2002 following abuse allegations.

"Every allegation of child sexual abuse is promptly reported to law enforcement regardless of credibility," said the statement. "Recent allegations made against Mr. Petrocelli were received by the diocesan Office of Compliance and promptly reported to law enforcement. Other inquiries regarding the arrest should be directed to the Rhode Island State Police and/or the Office of Attorney General."

“The Diocese of Providence takes very seriously all allegations of abuse and works closely with law enforcement agencies in accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and diocesan policy."