Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Donald J. Bowen was ordained in 1964 and served in the Diocese of Fall River. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Bowen sexually abused a girl from the time she was 9 years old until she was 16. He also wrote letters to her stating that he would leave the priesthood to marry her, demonstrating the manipulative and predatory nature of his actions. The survivor reported the abuse to the Diocese in 1990. Rather than reporting the abuse to civil authorities or publicly acknowledging the abuse, the Diocese settled with her in 1992 for $200,000.
Despite the settlement, Bowen was permitted to remain in active ministry in Bolivia with the Society of St. James, where he had been serving since 1973 and continued in that role until his 2002 indictment. A Bristol County grand jury indicted him on criminal charges including indecent assault and battery of a person under 14 and unnatural and lascivious acts on a person under 16. Bowen pleaded guilty in 2005 and was sentenced to two years in jail, ten years of probation, and required to register as a sex offender.
According to the Diocese of Fall River’s 2021 list of credibly accused clergy, Bowen was laicized in 2007.
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 Donald J. Bowen may be able to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Fall River, which settled a civil claim with a survivor in 1992 for $200,000 and subsequently permitted Bowen to continue serving in active ministry in Bolivia with the Society of St. James until his 2002 indictment. That sequence of institutional decisions — settling a claim that involved years of abuse beginning when the victim was nine years old and then permitting continued ministry abroad — is central to civil claims examining the Diocese’s responsibility for any harm that occurred after the 1992 settlement.
Bowen’s 2005 guilty plea to criminal charges and his subsequent laicization in 2007 establish a documented factual record directly relevant to civil claims against the Diocese. Civil litigation may examine what the Diocese knew at the time of the 1992 settlement, what conditions, if any, were placed on Bowen’s continued ministry following that settlement, and what communication, if any, occurred between the Diocese and the Society of St. James regarding his history during his nearly thirty years of ministry in Bolivia.
For survivors, civil proceedings may provide compensation for therapy, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm. They may also produce a formal record of the Diocese’s institutional decisions at each stage of its response to the allegations against Bowen — from the initial reports through the 1992 settlement and the continued ministry that followed — ensuring that the full scope of institutional responsibility is documented through an independent legal process.
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.
Attorney Advertising Disclaimer
This is an advertisement for legal services. The content provided is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect current legal developments. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal outcomes depend on numerous factors, including specific facts, applicable law, opposing parties, and other circumstances. Do not take action based solely on the information in this advertisement. Every case is different. Any discussion of past results is for illustrative purposes only and does not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. No statement in this advertisement should be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of results. In the absence of a recovery, no fee will be charged to you and you will not be liable for any litigation expenses.
Attorney-Client Relationship & Confidentiality
Viewing this advertisement, contacting our firm, or requesting a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Such a relationship is only formed through a signed agreement with our firm. Any information shared between you and our firm before an attorney-client relationship is established is not confidential, privileged, or protected from disclosure. If you require immediate legal assistance, please contact our office directly.
Responsibility for Content
This advertisement is sponsored by Herman Law Firm.
Data Collection & Tracking
This advertisement may use tracking technology and allow third parties, including Meta, to collect data from user interactions for advertising and analytics purposes. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies for targeted advertising. To learn more about data collection practices and opt-out options, visit: https://optout.aboutads.info/?c=2&lang=EN.
Call us: 1 866 850 3766 
call us: 1 866 850 3766 
Message Us 
Call Us