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Father John Francis Dority was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1967 and served primarily as a missionary in Brazil. During visits home, he worked as a fill-in priest at Holy Name Parish in the Boston area, a Franciscan-affiliated parish he served during leaves from his overseas assignment.
Allegations of sexual abuse against Dority span decades. In a 2010 civil lawsuit, he was accused of sexually abusing two boys connected to Holy Name Parish between approximately 1966 and 1972, beginning when they were about 10 and 13 years old. Dority admitted to the abuse. In October 2011, a Suffolk Superior Court judge awarded the two plaintiffs a combined $3 million judgment after Dority failed to appear or respond to the lawsuit.
Dority had previously been convicted in Rhode Island in 2005 on charges of second-degree child molestation involving a 12-year-old boy, receiving a 20-year sentence with 3 years to serve. He was released in 2007. He departed the Franciscan order in 1976 and returned to the lay state in 1980. His name appears on the Holy Name Province’s own published list of Franciscan friars with substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse, released in 2021. He died on August 31, 2019.
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Survivors who were sexually abused by Father John Francis Dority may be able to file civil claims against the Franciscan Friars — Holy Name Province and,, depending on the circumstances of their abuse, other institutions connected to his ministry. Dority’s own admission of abuse, the $3 million civil judgment entered in 2011, his 2005 criminal conviction in Rhode Island, and his inclusion on the Franciscan order’s own substantiated-allegations list together create one of the most thoroughly documented records among the clergy abuse cases in this series.
Civil litigation can examine what the Franciscan order knew about Dority’s conduct, what oversight was provided during his fill-in assignments, and what steps — if any — were taken when concerns arose. His departure from the order in 1976 and formal release from his religious vows in 1980 raise questions about what institutional knowledge existed at that time and what actions followed. Civil proceedings may allow survivors to seek compensation for therapy, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm while holding accountable the institutions responsible for his supervision.
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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