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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Guido Caverzan was a Scalabrinian order priest who served in multiple locations, including parishes in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. In a letter dated July 18, 1977, complaints were made to Caverzan’s order, the Scalabrinian Fathers, alleging that he had sexually abused three boys who were altar boys at St. Lazarus Parish in East Boston. Later internal church records, including a 1994 memorandum, referenced two additional allegations of abuse against him.
In January 2003, a lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts alleging that Caverzan had sexually abused an altar boy at St. Lazarus Parish in East Boston. A second civil claim was filed in 2004 alleging that Caverzan had sexually abused a minor in New York beginning in approximately 1967. Caverzan was removed from his Florida parish and died on September 28, 1994, at the Scalabrinian Fathers’ Administration Center in Caracas.
Because of his status as an order priest, Caverzan’s name was omitted from the Boston Archdiocese’s 2011 official list of publicly accused clergy — a list that Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley released that year. However, public court filings, civil lawsuits, and internal church documents all contain documented allegations of serious sexual misconduct spanning multiple decades and locations. These records illustrate both the systemic failures of institutional oversight and the persistence of survivors in seeking accountability.
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 who were sexually abused by Father Guido Caverzan may be able to pursue civil claims against the Scalabrinian Fathers or affiliated institutions based on theories including negligent supervision, failure to act on prior allegations, and institutional concealment of abuse. Because Caverzan died in 1994, criminal prosecution is no longer possible; however, civil litigation focuses on the responsibility of the institutions that gave him access to children and failed to act on known warning signs.
Civil litigation may reveal internal communications, personnel files, and other records demonstrating what church officials knew — and when they knew it — about misconduct by Caverzan and others. These proceedings may allow survivors to seek compensation for emotional and psychological harm, while also providing formal acknowledgment of their experiences. The internal memoranda already documented in this case confirm that Caverzan’s superiors were aware of allegations against him years before his death.
Beyond potential financial recovery, civil claims can validate survivors’ experiences, establish a public record of institutional accountability, and help protect others going forward. When survivors assert their legal rights, they reclaim authority over their own stories and contribute to the broader effort to ensure transparency and reform within church institutions.
Under certain circumstances, Massachusetts law may allow civil claims to proceed against institutions even when the accused individual is deceased. An attorney can evaluate whether a claim may be available based on your specific circumstances.
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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