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Father Charles M. Loeffler was ordained in 1941 as a member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and, within a few years, was sent to Iraq as a missionary. He served there for 26 years, teaching theology, English, and mathematics at Baghdad College until 1969, when Jesuit missionaries were expelled from the country. He then returned to the United States, where he served in parish ministry and as a hospital chaplain.
In January 2003, Father Loeffler was among a group of priests newly named in civil lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese of Boston. A woman then reported to be approximately 70 or 71 years old alleged that Father Loeffler had sexually abused her and her sister beginning in 1941, when she was nine years old. She stated publicly that she wanted people to understand that abuse within the Archdiocese did not begin in the 1950s — it had occurred even earlier. Father Loeffler died in July 1992 at the age of 80.
Although he was named in civil litigation, Father Loeffler was omitted from the Archdiocese of Boston’s 2011 public database of accused clergy — a list from which Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley omitted the names of 70 religious order and visiting clerics. His absence from that database does not affect the standing of civil allegations, which are evaluated under separate legal standards.
Survivors who believe they were harmed by Father Loeffler or within his ministry may wish to consult an attorney to understand whether civil remedies remain available to them under Massachusetts law.
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.
When allegations of clergy sexual abuse involve events from many decades ago, survivors often face unique challenges. Memories may be questioned, documentation may be limited, and accused clergy may be deceased. Civil courts nonetheless provide a forum where survivors may be able to seek accountability and acknowledgment.
In Massachusetts, civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse may address both individual conduct and institutional responsibility. Even where a priest has died, civil litigation may examine whether church leadership exercised appropriate supervision, responded adequately to concerns, or allowed patterns of misconduct to go unaddressed.
The absence of a name from a diocesan database does not prevent civil review. Church determinations and public listings are separate from legal proceedings, and civil courts apply their own evidentiary standards and procedures.
For many survivors, civil litigation serves purposes beyond financial recovery. It may allow their experiences to be formally recorded and can contribute to public transparency. As one survivor noted in 2003, coming forward can also correct the historical record — demonstrating that misconduct within the Archdiocese occurred far earlier than was publicly acknowledged.
Massachusetts law recognizes that delayed disclosure is common in cases of childhood sexual abuse. Survivors may come forward many years after the fact, and in certain circumstances, civil remedies may still be available.
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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