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Father Arnold E. Kelley served in the Archdiocese of Boston for decades, with the first known allegation of sexual abuse reported to the Archdiocese in November 1997 in connection with his time at St. Rita’s Parish in Lowell. The Diocesan Review Board found no credible evidence at that time and took no disciplinary action; Kelley voluntarily agreed to transfer to another parish. A second allegation came to light in April 2002, when a mother reported that she had previously informed a church official — Sister Rita McCarthy — of alleged misconduct, and that McCarthy had told her no other complaints had been made against Kelley.
Despite these reported concerns, the Archdiocese’s official list published in August 2011 classified the earlier allegations as unsubstantiated. Father Kelley retired without restrictions and remained a “senior priest” in residence at All Saints Parish in Haverhill as recently as October 2015.
In April 2016, a civil lawsuit was filed alleging that Father Kelley had sexually abused a boy between the ages of 10 and 13 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Jamaica Plain between 1973 and 1976. The alleged abuse included fondling, oral sex, and sodomy. Father Kelley denied the allegations. The case was settled in January 2018. As is typical in civil settlements, the resolution did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
Father Kelley reportedly died on March 17, 2020, in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
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 documented history of this case — repeated allegations, institutional inaction, and Kelley’s continued access to ministry for decades — reflects a pattern that civil litigation is designed to address. Survivors of abuse by Father Kelley may be able to seek accountability through civil avenues, even in light of his death, by pursuing claims against the institutions responsible for his oversight and continued deployment in ministry.
Civil litigation may provide a pathway for survivors to formally document what occurred, to establish an institutional record of the abuse, and to hold the Archdiocese of Boston accountable for any failures of supervision. Pursuing such claims is not solely about financial recovery — it can also be a means of reclaiming agency, having one’s experiences formally acknowledged, and contributing to a historical record that protects others in the future.
Institutional accountability through civil litigation sends a clear message that abuse cannot be ignored and that survivor stories deserve to be preserved. Each claim filed contributes to a broader effort to compel transparency and promote reforms that safeguard children and vulnerable individuals.
If you or someone you know was abused by Father Arnold E. Kelley, we encourage you to contact Herman Law for a confidential consultation. Our attorneys can evaluate whether a civil claim may be available based on the specific facts and circumstances of your situation.
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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