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Father Bento R. Fraga retired from active ministry in 2005 after nearly fifty years of service in the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. In January 2008, the Diocese received a report that Fraga had sexually abused a minor on one occasion in 1979 while assigned as pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Attleboro. Fraga denied the allegation, but following a full review, the Diocesan Review Board found the claim credible.
The Diocese publicly announced Fraga’s removal from ministry on March 17, 2008 — the same day a bishop’s letter was distributed at all parishes where he had served. The sexual abuse survivor chose not to pursue criminal charges as of April 2008. Father Fraga passed away on April 8, 2012. The Diocese formally included him on its January 2021 list of credibly accused clergy, an official acknowledgment of the allegation despite the passage of time and his death.
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 sexual abuse survivor whose allegation prompted the diocesan investigation saw that claim investigated and found credible by the Diocese of Fall River’s Review Board, leading to Fraga’s removal from ministry in 2008. That institutional acknowledgment came twenty-nine years after the alleged abuse in 1979 — and three years after Fraga’s retirement from active ministry.
If you or someone you know was abused by Father Fraga, you may not have been alone. Institutional investigations do not always identify every survivor, and many individuals who experienced abuse by clergy do not come forward until years or decades later.
Survivors of clergy abuse may have legal avenues to seek acknowledgment and accountability, even after a priest’s death. Massachusetts law may allow survivors to pursue civil claims against dioceses for negligent supervision and failure to protect minors. Herman Law’s attorneys have extensive experience navigating these issues and can evaluate whether a civil claim may be viable in your situation.
Pursuing legal remedies can help survivors reclaim a sense of control, validate the harm they suffered, and create a public record of misconduct. Civil actions may also hold religious institutions accountable for their failures to protect the children in their care, raise public awareness, and help prevent future harm. Herman Law represents survivors exclusively — we are committed to standing with those who have been failed by institutions that had a duty to protect them.
If you were sexually abused by Father Bento R. Fraga or another member of the Diocese of Fall River, contact Herman Law today for a confidential 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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