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1 800 686 9921
Father Chester J. Devlin was a Catholic priest ordained in 1971 who served within the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts. In April 2002, he was removed from his parish assignment at St. Bernadette in Northboro and from his role as director of the diocese’s Respect Life Office following an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor dating back to the 1980s. During the 1980s, Devlin also served as headmaster at private Catholic schools within the diocese.
In 2003, a civil lawsuit was filed in Worcester Superior Court alleging that Devlin sexually abused a student beginning in 1979 while he taught at Holy Name High School in Worcester. No criminal charges were pursued against Devlin due to the statute of limitations. Devlin died in July 2017.
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 who were sexually abused by Father Chester J. Devlin during his ministry may be able to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Worcester. Herman Law encourages anyone who has been affected to contact us to discuss their options.
Devlin’s roles as parish priest, headmaster at private Catholic schools within the diocese, and director of a diocesan office gave him access to minors across multiple institutional settings over the course of his ministry — raising questions about the Diocese’s oversight of Devlin across his decades of service. The 2003 civil lawsuit filed in Worcester Superior Court demonstrates that civil accountability connected to his conduct has been pursued through the legal system.
Civil litigation may be used to examine what diocesan officials knew about Devlin’s conduct during his assignments at Holy Name and other institutions, and what institutional decisions were made before and after his 2002 removal. Civil claims may allow survivors to seek compensation for therapy costs, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm, while also compelling the Diocese to account for the supervisory decisions made across the full range of Devlin’s institutional roles and the adequacy of its response when the allegation that led to his 2002 removal first surfaced.
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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