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Father Anthony J. Laurano was an ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Boston who served in active ministry from his ordination in 1950 until his retirement in 1995. Despite his retirement, allegations of serious sexual abuse surfaced involving multiple individuals across different periods of his ministry. He was accused of abusing an 8-year-old boy in 1991, abusing a mentally disabled man, and separately, abusing a 25-year-old deacon preparing for ordination in 1970. The breadth of these accusations reflects allegations spanning multiple decades and involving individuals in varying states of vulnerability.
As allegations of sexual abuse began to emerge, the Archdiocese of Boston placed Father Laurano on administrative leave in 2002. A civil lawsuit followed in 2005, the same year he was indicted on two counts of child rape — marking a significant escalation to formal criminal proceedings. The Archdiocese initiated involuntary laicization proceedings, with that action announced in March 2007. Father Laurano died on May 27, 2007, just prior to his scheduled criminal trial, leaving the criminal case unresolved. His name was subsequently included on the Archdiocese of Boston’s publicly released list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of a child, published in August 2011.
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.
The record surrounding Father Anthony J. Laurano reflects allegations involving multiple individuals across multiple decades, encompassing accusers of differing ages and circumstances. The presence of a mentally disabled person among those who came forward is particularly significant, as individuals with disabilities face heightened vulnerability and often encounter additional barriers when seeking to be heard and believed.
Civil litigation in cases of this nature extends beyond the individual priest’s conduct to scrutinize the institution’s own role. Father Laurano retired in 1995, yet the Archdiocese did not place him on administrative leave until 2002 — only after allegations of sexual abuse were formally reported. The intervening years raise important questions about what the Archdiocese knew, when that knowledge was obtained, and what steps, if any, were taken to investigate or address concerns before mounting allegations compelled a formal response.
A grand jury indictment on two counts of child rape in 2005 reflected a formal determination that the allegations were sufficient to proceed to criminal trial. While Father Laurano’s death prevented a criminal verdict, civil accountability operates independently of criminal outcomes. Survivors who believe they were harmed by Father Laurano or by the Archdiocese’s failure to act may be able to pursue civil claims against the institution directly, examining whether its supervision and response to reported misconduct met the standard of care owed to those who came into contact with its clergy. Whether a claim is viable depends on individual circumstances, including the nature and timing of the alleged abuse. We encourage anyone with questions to contact Herman Law for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
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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