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Father James E. Gaudreau was removed from his assignment at St. Joseph’s Parish in Lynn on September 23, 2012, following an allegation that he had sexually abused a child in 2006. He was placed on paid administrative leave with no public ministry pending the archdiocesan investigation, and law enforcement was notified of the allegations. Gaudreau had been serving at St. Joseph’s since 1984 and had served as its pastor since 1993.
In September 2013, the Essex County District Attorney’s office announced that it would not file criminal charges against Gaudreau. The Archdiocese, however, continued its own canonical investigation. Gaudreau resigned from the parish in November 2014 while that process remained ongoing. On September 10, 2020, the Archdiocese of Boston announced that the Church had found Gaudreau guilty of child sexual abuse and that the Vatican had affirmed a sentence requiring him to live a life of prayer and penance. He was subsequently included on the archdiocese’s official list of accused clergy.
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 James E. Gaudreau may have legal options available to them, including potential civil litigation against the Archdiocese of Boston. Massachusetts law recognizes that religious institutions owe a duty of care to minors in their parishes and programs. When they breach this duty through negligence in the hiring, supervision, or retention of abusive clergy, they may be held liable for the resulting harm.
The Church’s own investigation and guilty finding against Gaudreau, affirmed by the Vatican, represents institutional acknowledgment that the Church itself found the allegation credible and Gaudreau culpable under its own processes. For survivors, this recognition may be an important part of healing — confirming that their experiences were believed and taken seriously.
Civil litigation may provide survivors with an opportunity to seek compensation for the profound psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm caused by clergy sexual abuse. Beyond financial recovery, the legal process can also allow survivors to hold accountable the institution that may have failed to protect them and to seek transparency about how the matter was handled.
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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