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Father Edward M. Keohan spent approximately five years as a missionary, primarily in Peru, before returning to ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston. He was one of sixteen priests named for the first time in lawsuits filed in January 2003 by seventy plaintiffs. The sexual abuse allegation against Keohan involved the alleged fondling of a teenage boy at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
The Archdiocese did not place Keohan on administrative leave until August 2003, citing the lawsuit’s insufficient detail to justify immediate removal. The accuser ultimately received a six-figure settlement from the Archdiocese. Following an internal review, the Archdiocesan Review Board found the sexual abuse allegation unsubstantiated, and Keohan was returned to active ministry in March 2005. He appears on the Archdiocese of Boston’s August 2011 list of unsubstantiated cases as a priest against whom allegations were reviewed and not confirmed. He died on September 12, 2015.
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.
Individuals who allege they were sexually abused by Father Keohan faced the dual burden of trauma and an institutional response that initially delayed formal action. The Archdiocese’s formal review process — and the documentation it generated — provides a record of how these allegations were examined, and may serve as a resource for those seeking to understand their experiences in context.
Even in cases where a priest has been exonerated through an internal process or has since passed away, individuals who believe they were harmed may have legal options available to them. Civil law may allow survivors to pursue recognition of alleged sexual abuse, document its impact, and explore accountability for any institutional failures that may have allowed harm to occur. A civil action can provide a structured path toward personal resolution and may contribute to broader institutional accountability for the protection of children and vulnerable individuals.
If you or someone you know may have been harmed by Father Keohan or another member of the clergy, we encourage you to contact Herman Law to learn more about your potential legal options. Survivors’ experiences are central to understanding past institutional failures — and to preventing future ones.
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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