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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — <\/span>A new investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, shows that an estimated 75 priests abused more than 300 children since 1950, with the state’s top law enforcement chief warning Wednesday that the scope of the abuse is likely much bigger.<\/p>\n The report was released by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, whose office has been investigating the diocese<\/a> since 2019. <\/p>\n According to Neronha, the church could be doing more to address child sexual abuse. Yet diocese leaders have pushed back at the conclusions from the report, maintaining there are no \u201ccredibly accused clergy in active ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n Here’s what to know about the investigation.<\/p>\n The report described church records as \u201cdamning,\u201d declaring that the diocese often failed to take the proper steps to protect children from sexual abuse. While clergy abuse has been widely exposed, up until Wednesday’s report, the scope of what took place in Rhode Island had largely been unknown. <\/p>\n The report flagged that the diocese often transferred accused priests to new assignments without thoroughly investigating complaints or contacting law enforcement. This practice was common, as other investigations in Boston, Philadelphia and elsewhere have exposed.<\/p>\n This includes the Diocese of Providence opening a \u201cspiritual retreat-style facility\u201d in the early 1950s, where several accused priests were sent elsewhere for a period of time with the goal of returning to work. This practice evolved into sending accused priests to more formal treatment centers after determining clergy abuse may stem from mental health problems.<\/p>\n The report said the diocese\u2019s \u201coverreliance and misplaced faith\u201d in the treatment centers was at best \u201cabsurdly Pollyannaish.\u201d<\/p>\n By the 1990s, accused priests were sometimes placed on sabbatical leave.<\/p>\n