R.I. Gen. Laws § 14-1-41: Protection of religious faith.

In placing a child under the guardianship or custody of a private agency, society, or institution, the court may when practicable select an agency, society, or institution governed by persons of like religious faith of the parents of the child, or in case of a difference in the religious faith of the parents, then of the religious faith of the child, or, if the religious faith of the child is not ascertainable, then of the faith of either of the parents. When neither the religious faith of the parents nor the religious faith of the child is ascertainable, the foregoing principles shall not apply.