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Father Gerald J. Hickey served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, and was known for his role as chaplain for the New England Patriots football team. He was officially unassigned following his departure from St. Bridget’s Parish in Abington in 1994, though he resumed limited parish work in 1998 and had been informally assisting at St. Helen’s Parish in Norwell for several years prior to his removal.
In early 2002, two of Father Hickey’s nephews publicly alleged that he had sexually abused them. One nephew had previously reported the allegations to the Archdiocese by letter in August 1992, and the Archdiocese agreed to fund two years of therapy for him at that time. A civil lawsuit was later filed but was ultimately dropped. Father Hickey was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese in February 2002. Records from the 2011 Boston Archdiocese list indicate that the Review Board subsequently found the allegations unsubstantiated, or that a canonical process resulted in acquittal. Father Hickey remained retired with privileges restricted as of October 2015 and passed away in October 2018.
The allegations, if true, illustrate the particular harm that can result when sexual abuse is alleged to occur within family relationships that overlap with clerical authority — settings in which an accused individual holds both personal trust and institutional standing. Church documents made public during the broader Boston Archdiocese scandal reveal that as early as 1993, Archdiocese officials had recommended that Father Hickey not be in the company of minors, and that the pastor of St. Helen was unaware of any restrictions on his ministry at the time of his removal in 2002.
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 Hickey may have legal options to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston and other institutions that may have had knowledge of, or responsibility for, the alleged misconduct. Because Father Hickey passed away in October 2018, any civil action would be directed at institutional defendants rather than Father Hickey personally. Whether a claim may be pursued depends on individual circumstances, including the timing of the alleged abuse and applicable statutes of limitations.
Massachusetts law may provide mechanisms for survivors of clergy abuse to pursue civil claims against institutions that allegedly failed to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to reports, or exercise adequate oversight of clergy members. Civil litigation may allow those who allege abuse to formally document their experiences, potentially hold institutions accountable, and seek financial compensation for emotional and psychological harm.
Legal action can also contribute to a public record that institutions may have preferred to keep private — including what church leadership knew, when they knew it, and how they responded. Even in historical cases, civil litigation has served as a meaningful avenue for acknowledgment and institutional accountability. We encourage anyone who believes they may have been harmed to contact our firm to discuss their potential options confidentially.
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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