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1 800 686 9921
Father Jeremiah J. Collins was a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston who died on January 2, 1982. In 2002, a lawsuit was filed naming Collins as an abuser. The suit alleged that Collins molested a boy who was approximately 13 years old in 1968 at St. Jude Parish in Waltham, Massachusetts, and at a cottage in New Hampshire. The alleged abuse occurred while Collins was serving in ministry and had access to the child through his parish assignment.
Father Collins served as an assistant at St. Joseph’s Parish in Amesbury from September 1952 to February 1958. When the Archdiocese of Boston published its list of accused clergy in August 2011, Collins was included among deceased priests for whom criminal or canonical proceedings were not completed. The Archdiocese noted that there was no formal determination of guilt in his case, as proceedings were not initiated or concluded prior to his death.
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 Jeremiah J. Collins may have the right to pursue justice through civil litigation, even when the accused priest is deceased. While criminal accountability is no longer possible, civil law may provide an avenue to examine the role of the institution that employed and supervised the clergy member. An attorney experienced in clergy abuse litigation can help determine whether a civil claim may be available based on your specific circumstances.
Claims involving deceased clergy frequently focus on diocesan knowledge, prior complaints, transfer histories, and supervision practices. Litigation may uncover whether Church leadership received warning signs, failed to act on reports, or allowed continued access to minors despite known risk indicators. These institutional factors form the foundation of many survivor lawsuits.
Through civil proceedings, survivors may seek compensation for psychological injury, therapy costs, emotional suffering, and the lasting effects of abuse on education, relationships, and faith. Beyond financial recovery, civil action can compel the disclosure of internal records, create transparency regarding institutional responses, and affirm survivor testimony in a formal legal forum. This process can be a meaningful step in healing and reinforces the principle that institutions entrusted with the care of children must answer for systemic failures.
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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