Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Gerard D. Barry was ordained in 1950 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston for over five decades. His early assignments placed him in direct contact with youth. His first assignment was at St. Augustine Parish in South Boston from 1950 to 1966 — a parish that included a parochial school and girls’ high school. He then served as chaplain at Deer Island House of Correction from 1966 to 1971. He later served as assistant at St. Cecilia Parish in Ashland, pastor of St. Linus Parish in Natick, and pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Newton, where he remained until retiring in 2001.
Barry came from a family with Church connections: his uncle, Monsignor Robert P. Barry, served as an archdiocesan consultant. Two years after his ordination, Archbishop Cushing selected Barry to serve as the CYO district director for South Boston, Roxbury, and the South End — a role that placed him in regular contact with youth across multiple Boston-area neighborhoods through organized Catholic youth activities.
In May 2019, attorney Mitchell Garabedian publicly named Barry as one of seven priests whose sexual abuse survivors had been compensated through arbitration with the Archdiocese of Boston. Despite that settlement history, Barry had not been included on the Archdiocese’s publicly published list of accused clergy as of January 2025, apparently due to a protocol that excludes priests who were deceased when their survivors came forward. Barry died on September 4, 2010. Aspects of his assignment history suggest the Archdiocese may have been aware of concerns about his conduct with children as early as the mid-1960s or early 1970s.
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 Gerard D. Barry may be able to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston, regardless of the protocol that excluded his name from the official list of accused clergy. The Archdiocese’s participation in arbitration settlements with survivors connected to Barry’s ministry demonstrates a documented history of claims against him and the institution’s engagement with those claims outside of public disclosure. Civil litigation provides a mechanism to pursue accountability that operates independently of internal Church listing protocols.
Civil litigation can examine what officials knew about his conduct during his decades of parish assignments, whether concerns were documented, and what role — if any — institutional decisions played in his continued placement in positions involving youth.
For survivors, civil claims may provide a path to compensation for therapy costs, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm, while also ensuring that institutional responsibility for Barry’s ministry is examined through the legal process regardless of how the Archdiocese has classified his case internally.
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