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Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father John J. Szantyr was ordained in 1957 as a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. He was dismissed from that order in 1972 and subsequently assisted at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury, Connecticut, in the early 1970s. He was sent for treatment at a facility in Massachusetts in 1975. In 1978, the Archdiocese of Hartford prohibited him from priestly ministry following a claim against him. Despite this restriction, he was accepted into the Diocese of Worcester in 1980 and assigned to parishes including Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish on Ward Street in Worcester.
In August 2002, a survivor’s family publicly alleged that Father Szantyr had sexually abused a child during the mid-to-late 1980s while he was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The family had previously reported the matter to Worcester police, but criminal charges were not pursued at that time. In June 2003, Father Szantyr was charged with four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under age 14, stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted two altar boys in the 1980s. A civil lawsuit was filed in January 2005.
No trial occurred due to prolonged questions about Father Szantyr’s mental competency. He was found incompetent to stand trial in 2006 and again in May 2008. Survivors and their supporters disputed the incompetency claim, and a private investigator’s surveillance report documented him walking and driving independently in 2007. Father Szantyr died on May 16, 2014, in Waterbury, Connecticut. The pending criminal charges were formally dropped following his death. His name appears on the Archdiocese of Hartford’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
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 John J. Szantyr may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Diocese of Worcester for its alleged failure to protect children in its care. Massachusetts law may allow claims against the Diocese for negligent supervision of clergy. Even though Father Szantyr is deceased, civil proceedings may enable survivors to document and validate their experiences.
The legal process may uncover institutional records — including personnel files, correspondence, and internal investigations — which may reveal what diocesan officials knew about Father Szantyr’s history prior to his acceptance into the Worcester Diocese, including the prior treatment, the Hartford prohibition, and the conditions reportedly attached to his assignment. Accessing such documentation may be valuable for survivors, as it can provide insight into institutional awareness and the decisions that may have allowed abuse to occur.
Civil claims may result in compensation for long-term psychological trauma, therapy, and emotional distress, but equally important is the public acknowledgment and validation of survivors’ experiences. Pursuing legal remedies may allow survivors to confront historical injustices, contribute to transparency, and reinforce institutional responsibility to prevent future abuse. For many survivors, civil litigation offers an opportunity to reclaim their voice, place their experiences in the public record, and contribute to the kind of accountability that can support healing — both for themselves and the broader community.
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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