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Father Barry F. Bossa was a member of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (SAC) religious order and was ordained in 1981. His history of abuse began years before ordination. In 1974, Bossa pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy. Despite this criminal conviction, he received no jail time. More troubling, his religious order knew about the conviction but still allowed him to proceed to ordination seven years later.
In 2002, two survivors filed civil lawsuits in Boston alleging that Bossa had sexually abused them during the 1970s in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. According to their complaints, Bossa performed oral sex on them when they were only 8 and 10 years old. At the time of these incidents, he was serving as a “parish brother” before his ordination. By 2002, Bossa was working in the Archdiocese of New York. When that archdiocese revoked his privileges following the allegations, he was transferred to Rome, effectively placing him beyond the reach of Massachusetts authorities.
Criminal charges were filed in Massachusetts, and efforts were made to extradite him, but he remained in Italy until his death on May 20, 2007. His name was omitted from the 2011 Boston Archdiocese database but was included on St. Benedict’s Abbey list of credibly accused clergy in January 2023.
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Survivors of sexual abuse by Father Barry F. Bossa may be able to pursue civil claims against the Society of the Catholic Apostolate and affiliated institutions for one of the most well-documented instances of institutional failure. Bossa pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy in 1974, and his religious order proceeded with his ordination seven years later despite knowledge of that conviction.
Civil litigation may examine the order’s decision to ordain Bossa after a criminal conviction for child sexual abuse and what oversight was provided during his subsequent ministry. The decision by the Archdiocese of New York to revoke his privileges following the 2002 allegations, followed by his transfer to Rome where he remained beyond the reach of Massachusetts authorities until his death in 2007, reflects a pattern of institutional decisions that may have prioritized protecting Bossa over accountability to survivors. Civil claims may examine each of those institutional decisions and the organizations responsible for making them.
For survivors, civil proceedings may provide compensation for therapy, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm. They also produce a formal record that holds the institutions responsible for Bossa’s ordination and subsequent placements accountable for decisions that allowed a man with a documented criminal conviction for child sexual abuse to spend decades in ministry with access to children.
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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