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Brother Edward Michael Lavigne was a member of the Marist Brothers (FMS) who entered the order in 1921 and made his final vows in 1927. Over the course of his religious life, he was assigned to schools across Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Montreal, Quebec, and Guam. Within the Archdiocese of Boston, he worked at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, from 1964 to 1972, and returned as a part-time volunteer from 1985 to 1986.
In 1986, Lavigne was removed from Central Catholic following a student complaint of sexual abuse. Despite this documented removal, a review of files at the school and Marist headquarters revealed no complaints on record, though Marist officials later acknowledged that complaints made during those years may not have been recorded. He was accused in 2001 of sexually abusing a student in 1967 while teaching at the school. In May 2017, a man in his sixties alleged that Lavigne and three other Marist Brothers abused him between the ages of 14 and 15 at Central Catholic. That survivor later reported that he had disclosed the abuse to the school principal at the time, who responded only by transferring him out of Lavigne’s algebra class, with no further action taken. Brother Lavigne died on April 19, 1992.
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The record surrounding Brother Edward Michael Lavigne raises serious concerns about accountability at the individual, institutional, and organizational levels. A complaint in 1986 led to his removal from Central Catholic, yet no documentation of that complaint was preserved in the school or Marist files. Officials later acknowledged that complaints from that era may not have been recorded, raising questions about whether recordkeeping practices at the time were adequate to create accountability or protect students from future harm.
Equally troubling is the account of a survivor who reported sexual abuse directly to the school principal and received no protective response. When institutional figures who receive disclosures of abuse fail to act, their inaction may carry its own legal significance. Civil litigation in cases involving religious schools examines not only the conduct of individual members but also the responses of administrators and supervisors who were in a position to intervene.
The omission of Lavigne’s name from the Archdiocese of Boston’s 2011 database further reflects a pattern of incomplete institutional disclosure. Survivors affected by conduct at Central Catholic High School during the periods Lavigne was present may have civil options worth exploring, and the acknowledgment by Marist officials that complaints from that era may not have been recorded provides meaningful context for any civil inquiry survivors may wish to pursue.
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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