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1 800 686 9921
Brother Edward Anthony Holmes was a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a Roman Catholic religious order. He was assigned as a residential counselor and supervisor at the Nazareth Child Care Center in Jamaica Plain, a residential facility operated by the Archdiocese of Boston that housed children who had been removed from their homes by the state’s Department of Social Services while awaiting foster care placement. His role gave him direct, ongoing access to some of the most vulnerable children in the state’s care.
The reported sexual abuse occurred during periods when Holmes was entrusted with supervising and providing spiritual guidance to children at the facility. According to court records and survivor accounts, Holmes used his authority over the children’s placement outcomes — threatening to block their transfer to foster homes or relatives — to coerce compliance. Survivors have described the profound confusion, fear, and shame that can arise when sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone in a position of institutional authority, and how those dynamics can delay or prevent disclosure for years or even decades.
Holmes was criminally charged in 2005 and pleaded guilty in December 2006 to 17 counts, including multiple counts of child rape, indecent assault and battery, and photographing a child for sexual purposes. He was sentenced to five years and one day in state prison. He subsequently pleaded guilty in 2008 to raping a third victim, with two additional years added to his sentence. He reportedly died in 2011. Notably, Holmes was omitted from the Archdiocese of Boston’s 2011 official database of publicly accused clergy — an omission that drew criticism from survivor advocates at the time.
With decades of dedicated advocacy, we have held abusers and institutions accountable, helping survivors secure justice and the resources to move forward.
For over two decades, we have focused solely on advocating for survivors, combining legal skill with compassion to guide them toward justice and healing.
We are honored to have guided thousands of survivors through the legal process, offering support, advocacy, and the resources they need to reclaim their lives.
Survivors who were sexually abused by Brother Holmes may be able to pursue civil legal action in Massachusetts. Civil courts offer a potential pathway to address the lasting emotional, psychological, and financial harm caused by childhood sexual abuse. Such claims are not limited to the individual accused — they may also examine whether supervising institutions, such as the Archdiocese of Boston or the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, failed in their responsibility to protect the children in their care.
A civil action can help determine whether proper oversight was in place, whether complaints were ignored, or whether warning signs were overlooked. When institutions are held accountable, it reinforces the responsibility organizations bear to protect children entrusted to them. Where civil claims are successful, damages may reflect the costs of therapy, long-term counseling, lost wages, and other support survivors may need.
Civil proceedings also offer survivors an opportunity to share their experiences in a structured and formal setting. For many survivors, that process can be a meaningful part of their path forward. Massachusetts law may provide legal options even for survivors of historical abuse, as the law recognizes that trauma frequently delays disclosure. Whether a claim is viable depends on individual circumstances, and a qualified attorney can advise you on your specific situation.
Herman Law represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse in civil litigation. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by Brother Holmes or others at the Nazareth Child Care Center, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your potential legal options confidentially.
Every survivor deserves compassion and acknowledgment. This video explains how civil law empowers individuals harmed by clergy abuse to pursue accountability and closure. Justice extends beyond courtrooms; it allows survivors to reclaim their voice and aids them on their healing journey. Survivors across Massachusetts continue proving that truth carries strength and healing begins with being heard.
Our experienced and compassionate team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff have extensive training in working with sexual abuse victims.
These cases are complex; however, our team are experts in these types of cases and will diligently ensure our clients are compensated for full and fair value. We always do our best to help our clients heal by giving them a voice
and helping them seek a measure of justice.
Massachusetts Disclaimer:Herman Law has a multistate practice representing victims of sexual abuse in civil cases. A Herman Law attorney is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Each case is different, and results in prior cases do not assure a similar outcome in future cases. If there is no recovery, no fees or expenses will be charged. Attorney Advertising by Jenny Rossman.
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