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1 800 686 9921
Father Gerard A. Lafleur was ordained in 1953 and served in parish ministry within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts for nearly six decades. Over the course of his ministry, he held pastoral assignments across the Diocese, during which an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor arose. The reported conduct dates to 1974, during the period of his active ministry.
The Diocese of Springfield included Lafleur on its public list of clergy credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor, reflecting its internal determination that the allegation met its credibility standard. That formal acknowledgment, however delayed — he died in 2011 and was not listed until March 2022 — represents an institutional recognition of the serious nature of the claim against him and provides an important point of reference for survivors connected to his ministry who may be considering their legal options.
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.
The sexual abuse allegation associated with Father Gerard A. Lafleur, arising during his decades of ministry within the Diocese, raises serious questions about whether institutional oversight was adequate during that period. Civil litigation in cases of this nature does not focus solely on the conduct of the individual priest. The response of the Diocese of Springfield also receives scrutiny — including what leadership knew, whether complaints were acted upon in a timely manner, and whether supervisory decisions or assignment practices created conditions in which sexual abuse could occur.
When a diocese places a priest on its credibly accused list, that acknowledgment can carry meaningful weight in civil proceedings. It reflects an institutional determination that the allegation was credible and invites examination of the internal processes that preceded that conclusion. Survivors who experienced abuse during Lafleur’s years of active ministry may have civil options available to them. Massachusetts law recognizes that delayed disclosure is common in childhood sexual abuse cases, and the passage of time does not automatically prevent survivors from pursuing accountability through the civil justice system. Consulting with a sexual abuse attorney is an important step toward understanding what remedies may remain available.
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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