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1 800 686 9921
Father Bernard L. Doheny was ordained in 1935 and served for many years in the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts. He held roles that placed him in direct and sustained contact with minors: he served as rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Director of Youth for the diocese for 15 years, Diocesan Boy Scouts Chaplain, and ward representative of Springfield’s Juvenile Delinquency Commission. He was also appointed to the 1950 White House Conference on Children and Youth.
Despite these positions of trust, Doheny is the subject of serious sexual abuse allegations. A civil lawsuit filed in March 2005 alleged that he sexually abused a boy over a four-year period beginning when the child was approximately 10 years old. The same suit included sexual abuse allegations against multiple other clergy and bishops from the Springfield and Worcester dioceses. Doheny died in 1965, and the claims were pursued through the civil system.
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 Father Bernard L. Doheny may be able to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Springfield for institutional failures connected to his ministry. Whether a claim is viable will depend on individual circumstances and applicable law, and we encourage anyone with questions to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
The 2005 civil lawsuit reflects that legal action connected to Doheny’s conduct has been brought through the civil system, which applies its own evidentiary standards. Civil litigation can examine what diocesan officials knew about Doheny’s conduct during his assignments and whether adequate supervision and safeguards were in place during his ministry. Internal records and personnel files obtained through discovery may shed light on the institutional decisions surrounding his placements and whether concerns were ever documented or addressed.
Civil proceedings may allow survivors to seek compensation for therapy costs, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress, and may create a formal record of the supervisory obligations the Diocese bore during Doheny’s active years.
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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