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Father Gerard T. McMahon was ordained in 1961 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston, with assignments that included St. Mary’s Church in Foxboro, Massachusetts. In April 2006, he was indicted on charges of raping a girl during the period between 1967 and 1970, while he was assigned to that parish. Prosecutors stated that he was a frequent visitor to the victim’s family home, where he regularly drank alcohol at family gatherings. On occasions when he became too intoxicated to drive, the family allowed him to remain overnight and placed him in the child’s bed.
Father McMahon left Boston in 1970 to serve as a Navy chaplain, a role in which he served for approximately twenty years before retiring. After retiring from military service, he settled in Florida, though he remained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston. In May 2006, he pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape of a child and one count of indecent assault and battery, and was sentenced to lifetime probation to be served in Florida.
The Archdiocese of Boston’s August 2011 published list of clergy accused of sexual abuse included Father McMahon under the category of cases concluded criminally by plea or conviction, with laicization noted as pending at that time. He was also included on a list of visiting and religious order priests published by the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama on December 6, 2018, which referenced an assignment at St. Benedict School in Elberta, Alabama. His first name was misspelled as “Gerald” on that list. Father McMahon died on May 21, 2013.
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.
When a priest has pleaded guilty to criminal charges, survivors may still carry lasting trauma and unanswered questions about institutional oversight. A criminal conviction addresses personal criminal accountability, but it does not resolve every question related to supervision, assignment, or the response of church authorities.
Civil claims may offer a separate path. Through civil litigation, survivors may be able to seek compensation for harm suffered and, in some cases, may raise questions about whether institutional leaders acted appropriately when concerns arose. Civil proceedings may allow those issues to be examined under applicable legal standards.
In cases where a priest served across multiple jurisdictions — as Father McMahon did, serving in Massachusetts before a lengthy military career and subsequent work in Alabama — questions may arise about how information was shared between church entities and what steps were or were not taken to address concerns.
Even after a criminal guilty plea and sentencing, civil claims may offer a separate avenue for accountability. Financial recovery may address therapy costs, emotional harm, and other long-term impacts. For many survivors, the opportunity to establish a public record and seek formal acknowledgment of what occurred is equally significant.
The civil justice system may provide a structured setting where eligible survivors can present their claims independently of church determinations or internal discipline. For those who qualify, it may represent an available path toward accountability and recognition.
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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