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Father John Earl Kelty was a Conventual Franciscan priest who served within the Diocese of Springfield, including an assignment at San Damiano Friary in Holyoke from 1981 to 1982. He has been accused of sexually abusing a minor during the 1980s. Kelty died in 1993, nearly three decades before these allegations became public.
On June 2, 2021, the Diocese of Springfield named Kelty on its official list of clergy against whom credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have been found. This public disclosure reflects the diocese’s determination that the allegation against him was credible — meaning there was reasonable cause to believe the abuse occurred — sufficient to warrant inclusion on its formal list despite Kelty’s death many years earlier. The allegation was received posthumously, meaning he was not able to respond or face formal proceedings.
The specific details of the allegation, including the age of the victim and the precise nature of the conduct, have not been publicly released. The diocese’s inclusion of Kelty on its credible allegation list reflects a finding that the claim warranted serious consideration, though it is not a definitive legal finding of guilt.
Survivors of clergy abuse often carry lasting emotional and psychological harm, and may need recognition, support, and access to professional resources as part of their healing process.
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.
If you were abused by Father John Earl Kelty, you may be able to pursue justice through civil litigation. Even though Father Kelty is deceased, civil action may allow survivors to hold the institutions responsible for his supervision and placement accountable for any failure to protect minors in their care. Compensation recovered through civil proceedings may help survivors access therapy, counseling, and other services essential to recovery.
Civil proceedings can also serve to formally document the alleged abuse and its lasting effects, contributing to broader accountability for clergy misconduct. Taking legal action may help validate survivors’ experiences, provide a sense of agency, and create a formal record of the harm endured.
To learn whether you may have a claim, contact Herman Law for a confidential consultation. Our firm exclusively represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse in civil litigation.
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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