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1 800 686 9921Brother Xavier Leonard Boulanger was a Marist Brother who taught at Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts. According to a 2007 civil lawsuit filed in Suffolk County Superior Court, a survivor alleged that Brother Xavier Leonard sexually abused him as a minor at Central Catholic during the 1967–1968 school year. The lawsuit named multiple defendants, including the Marist Brothers of Massachusetts and Central Catholic High School, Inc. Brother Xavier Leonard died on August 26, 1987.
In May 2017, a man then in his 60s came forward alleging that he had been sexually abused by Brother Xavier Leonard and three other Marist Brothers at Central Catholic during the 1960s, when he was 14 and 15 years old. That survivor alleges he reported the abuse to the school principal during his senior year, but was only moved out of a class taught by one of the accused — and no further action was taken.
Brother Xavier Leonard’s name was not included in public disclosures by the Archdiocese of Boston.
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 of sexual abuse by Brother Xavier Leonard Boulanger may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Marist Brothers and Central Catholic High School for their alleged failure to protect students in their care. Massachusetts law may allow claims against religious orders and institutions for negligent supervision of members. Even when the individual accused is deceased, civil proceedings may enable survivors to document and validate their experiences.
The legal process may uncover institutional records — including personnel files, correspondence, and internal investigations — that may reveal what the Marist Brothers and school leadership knew about misconduct at Central Catholic and what decisions were made in response. The allegation that a survivor reported abuse directly to school leadership, and that no meaningful action followed, may be particularly relevant to claims of institutional awareness and supervisory failure. Accessing such documentation may be valuable for survivors as it can provide insight into the decisions that may have allowed abuse to continue.
Civil claims may result in compensation for long-term psychological trauma, therapy, and emotional distress, but equally important is the public acknowledgment and validation of survivors’ experiences. Pursuing legal remedies may allow survivors to confront historical injustices, contribute to transparency, and reinforce institutional responsibility to prevent future abuse. For many survivors, civil litigation offers an opportunity to reclaim their voice, place their experiences in the public record, and contribute to the kind of accountability that can support healing — both for themselves and the broader community.
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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