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Father Edward George Authier served as a priest within the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, and is named on the diocese’s official list of credibly accused clergy. Authier was ordained in 1930 and served in the diocese until his death in 1970, including as pastor of St. Anne’s Parish in Chicopee from 1955 until his death.
Authier’s name surfaced publicly in May 2019, when it was reported that a man — then 67 years old — had alleged he was sexually abused as a boy around 1960 by Authier, along with Bishop Christopher J. Weldon and Father Clarence Forand. The Diocesan Review Board had previously reviewed these allegations and, in September 2018, notified Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski that it found the survivor’s account compelling and credible. Authier’s name was added to the diocese’s public list of credibly accused clergy on June 2, 2021.
Retired Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis was later commissioned by the diocese to investigate the allegations against Bishop Weldon. His report found the survivor was unequivocally a victim of systemic abuse at the hands of clergy, including Weldon and Forand — the same survivor who had also accused Authier in allegations separately found credible by the Diocesan Review Board.
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.
For survivors who experienced sexual abuse by of Father Edward George Authier, the path forward may include pursuing accountability through the civil justice system. While criminal prosecution is not possible when an offender is deceased, Massachusetts civil law may provide meaningful avenues for survivors to seek recognition and financial accountability from the institutions that allowed abuse to occur.
Diocesan records and independent investigators have documented the Diocese of Springfield’s delayed response to credible allegations. When a diocese is aware of abuse and fails to protect those in its care, it may bear legal responsibility for the harm that follows. Civil litigation may allow survivors to hold institutions accountable and to obtain compensation for the lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by clergy abuse.
Massachusetts law recognizes that survivors of childhood sexual abuse often carry the weight of their trauma for years, or even decades, before they are able to come forward. Civil claims may still be viable for survivors who have only recently connected their injuries to the abuse they endured.
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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