You are not alone, and it is not too late to seek justice.
If you or someone you love was sexually abused by a priest, deacon, nun, or other clergy member in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts clergy sexual abuse lawyers at Horowitz Law are here to help.
We represent survivors of clergy sexual abuse across the Commonwealth, and we have spent decades fighting to hold abusers and the institutions that protected them accountable in civil court.
Massachusetts has one of the most well-documented histories of clergy sexual abuse in the country. From the Archdiocese of Boston to the dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester, thousands of children were harmed by people who were supposed to protect them. The institutions that should have stopped it chose silence instead.
We believe survivors. We stand with you. And we are ready to fight for the accountability you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. There is never a fee unless we win your case.
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Search Accused Clergy and Dioceses in Massachusetts
We have compiled publicly available information on clergy members accused of sexual abuse across Massachusetts dioceses. This tool is designed to help survivors identify their abusers and understand that they are not alone in their experiences.
We recognize that looking through these names can bring up painful memories. Please know that our team is here if you need support. You can reach us at 888-283-9922 at any time.
| Offender Name | Status | Diocese | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father Joseph Abbruzzese | Convicted | Diocese of Providence | Profile |
| Fr. Ralph Herbert Adair | Accused | Diocese of Springfield MA | Profile |
| Fr. John H. Acres | Sued | Archdiocese of Boston MA | Profile |
If the name of the person who abused you does not appear in our database, that does not mean you do not have a case. New names are added regularly as more information becomes public. Please contact our Massachusetts clergy sexual abuse attorneys regardless, and we will review your situation in a confidential conversation.
Other Catholic Religious Institutes Operating in Massachusetts
- Archdiocese of Boston covering Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and most of Plymouth counties in eastern Massachusetts
- Diocese of Fall River covering Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties in southeastern Massachusetts
- Diocese of Springfield covering Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties in western Massachusetts
- Diocese of Worcester covering Worcester County in central Massachusetts
Across these dioceses, hundreds of priests and other clergy members have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Many survivors carried their pain in silence for decades.
Today, Massachusetts law gives many of those survivors the right to file civil claims and seek justice, even for abuse that happened long ago.
Speak Confidentially with Our Massachusetts Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
At Horowitz Law, we have dedicated our careers to standing with survivors. From the moment you contact us, you will have a compassionate ear, a dedicated support system, and a legal team you can trust. We are honored to fight for you.
Call 888-283-9922 today for your free, confidential consultation. You can also reach us through our website. There is never a fee unless we win.
The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office also conducted its own investigation, resulting in a detailed public report documenting the scope of abuse and institutional failure within the Archdiocese. That report, available through the Massachusetts Attorney General's website, confirmed a pattern of concealment that spanned decades.
But the abuse was never limited to Boston. All four Catholic dioceses in Massachusetts have faced allegations of abuse by priests and other church personnel.
Clergy Sexual Abuse in Massachusetts: A History of Betrayal and Cover-Up
Massachusetts sits at the center of the church sexual abuse crisis in America. In January 2002, the Boston Globe's Spotlight investigative team published a groundbreaking series of articles exposing widespread sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston.
The reporting revealed that church leadership, including Cardinal Bernard Law, had known about abusive priests for years and had repeatedly reassigned them to new parishes instead of removing them from ministry.
The Globe's investigation led to criminal prosecutions, the resignation of Cardinal Law, and an eventual $85 million settlement from the Archdiocese of Boston to hundreds of survivors. The story inspired the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight and opened the door for survivors in every state to come forward with their own experiences.
Why Survivors Choose Horowitz Law for Massachusetts Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases
Choosing a legal team for a case like this is a deeply personal decision. At Horowitz Law, we understand the courage it takes to come forward, and we treat every survivor with the dignity and respect they deserve from the very first phone call.
If you were abused by a member of the clergy in Massachusetts, you may have legal options you are not aware of. Call us at 888-283-9922 or reach out through our website to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation.
Free Case Review- We focus our entire practice on sexual abuse cases. This is all we do, every day. That singular focus means we understand the legal, emotional, and institutional complexities of these cases better than a general practice firm ever could.
- We have a proven track record of results against powerful institutions. Our managing partner, Adam Horowitz, secured a jury verdict of over $70 million on behalf of a sexual assault survivor. We are not intimidated by the size or resources of any organization.
- We have represented hundreds of sexual abuse survivors nationwide and have deep experience with cases involving the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.
- We connect survivors with counseling services, mental health resources, forensic professionals, and other survivors. Your well-being always comes first.
- We maintain regular communication and full transparency throughout your case. You will always know where things stand and have direct access to the legal professionals working on your behalf.
Massachusetts Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse
Childhood Sexual Abuse: Up to 35 Years to File
Massachusetts law also allows survivors to bring claims against the institutions that enabled the abuse. Under Section 4C½ of Chapter 260, a civil lawsuit alleging that an institution negligently supervised or contributed to the sexual abuse of a minor follows the same 35-year and 7-year framework described above. This means survivors can hold dioceses, parishes, schools, and other organizations accountable for failing to protect children.
This is especially important in cases involving the church, where the evidence often shows that leadership knew about an abusive priest and chose to transfer them rather than report them to law enforcement.
Claims Against Institutions: The Same Extended Deadline Applies
Massachusetts law also allows survivors to bring claims against the institutions that enabled the abuse. Under Section 4C½ of Chapter 260, a civil lawsuit alleging that an institution negligently supervised or contributed to the sexual abuse of a minor follows the same 35-year and 7-year framework described above. This means survivors can hold dioceses, parishes, schools, and other organizations accountable for failing to protect children.
This is especially important in cases involving the church, where the evidence often shows that leadership knew about an abusive priest and chose to transfer them rather than report them to law enforcement.
Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Massachusetts law also allows survivors to bring claims against the institutions that enabled the abuse. Under Section 4C½ of Chapter 260, a civil lawsuit alleging that an institution negligently supervised or contributed to the sexual abuse of a minor follows the same 35-year and 7-year framework described above. This means survivors can hold dioceses, parishes, schools, and other organizations accountable for failing to protect children.
This is especially important in cases involving the church, where the evidence often shows that leadership knew about an abusive priest and chose to transfer them rather than report them to law enforcement.
Who Can File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law also allows survivors to bring claims against the institutions that enabled the abuse. Under Section 4C½ of Chapter 260, a civil lawsuit alleging that an institution negligently supervised or contributed to the sexual abuse of a minor follows the same 35-year and 7-year framework described above. This means survivors can hold dioceses, parishes, schools, and other organizations accountable for failing to protect children.
This is especially important in cases involving the church, where the evidence often shows that leadership knew about an abusive priest and chose to transfer them rather than report them to law enforcement.
FAQs about Massachusetts Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Free Case ReviewHow much does it cost to hire a Massachusetts clergy sex abuse lawyer from Horowitz Law?
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Will my name become public if I file a lawsuit?
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Can I file a claim even if I already received a settlement from the diocese in the past?
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What if the priest who abused me is deceased?
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Do I need to be a Massachusetts resident to file a claim for abuse that happened in Massachusetts?
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How long does a clergy sexual abuse lawsuit take?
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Speak Confidentially with Our Massachusetts Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
At Horowitz Law, we have dedicated our careers to standing with survivors. From the moment you contact us, you will have a compassionate ear, a dedicated support system, and a legal team you can trust. We are honored to fight for you.
Call 888-283-9922 today for your free, confidential consultation. You can also reach us through our website. There is never a fee unless we win.