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Father Donald E. Messier was ordained in 1968 and served in the Diocese of Fall River, where his assignments included St. Jean Baptiste Church in Fall River and Our Lady of Fatima Church in New Bedford, among others. In 1973, he left the Fall River Diocese to serve in the Diocese of Providence. In September 2002, the Bristol County District Attorney publicly released a list of priests whose names had been provided to his office by the Diocese of Fall River. Father Messier’s name appeared on that list, with one alleged victim identified; the matter was noted as beyond the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution at that time. In January 2021, the Diocese of Fall River included Father Messier on its list of credibly accused clergy — a designation applied to individuals against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was made that meets the diocese’s semblance of truth standard. His status on that list is noted as faculties restricted.
Inclusion on the Diocese of Fall River’s credibly accused list indicates that allegations against Father Messier were found to meet the diocese’s threshold for disclosure. Following his inclusion on the list, the Diocese took administrative action, restricting Father Messier’s faculties.
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 allege sexual abuse by Father Messier during his time in the Diocese of Fall River may still be able to pursue civil avenues of accountability under Massachusetts law. Civil pathways may provide survivors with a means to seek recognition of the harm they endured, regardless of the time that has passed since the alleged events occurred. Massachusetts law may provide options for survivors who were not able to come forward until years after the alleged abuse occurred — an attorney can advise on what remedies may be available in individual circumstances.
Civil accountability focuses not only on the individual alleged acts of abuse but also on how institutions respond to allegations. Courts may review whether diocesan leadership failed to implement safeguards, properly investigate claims, or take adequate steps to limit access to minors. Even when a priest is no longer in active ministry, civil proceedings may provide survivors with an opportunity to have their experiences formally acknowledged and the broader institutional record examined.
Pursuing civil remedies may help survivors regain a sense of control over their narrative and validate the harm they experienced. These actions also encourage transparency, highlighting patterns of alleged misconduct and the need for stronger protective measures. Survivors may be able to seek accountability and recognition of the harm they experienced, and may also contribute to efforts aimed at preventing future abuse.
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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