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Father John Kevin McAndrews was ordained in 1949 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston. In 2002, he was named in a civil lawsuit alleging the sexual abuse of a boy, reported to have been between 11 and 12 years old, during the late 1960s at St. Athanasius Church in Reading, Massachusetts. Court records and published reports indicate that the alleged abuse occurred on multiple occasions over an extended period of time.
Father McAndrews died on August 5, 1986, at the age of 63. The Archdiocese of Boston’s August 2011 public list of accused clergy includes his name among deceased priests for whom no formal determination of guilt was made, either because he died prior to a canonical investigation or because the process was not completed before his death.
Although internal church proceedings did not reach a conclusion, the civil lawsuit brought the allegations into the public record. Survivors connected to Father McAndrews’ ministry at St. Athanasius Church or elsewhere in the Archdiocese of Boston may be able to pursue civil claims under Massachusetts law. Herman Law can help evaluate whether a civil claim may be available in your specific circumstances.
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.
When allegations involve clergy who died before church investigations were completed, survivors may feel that accountability was left unresolved. The civil justice system operates independently of church tribunals and applies its own evidentiary standards under Massachusetts law.
In Massachusetts, survivors of childhood sexual abuse may be able to pursue civil claims even when the accused is deceased. The availability of such claims depends on the specific facts and applicable law. Civil claims may examine not only the alleged conduct of the individual accused but also the institutional oversight exercised by the Archdiocese of Boston — including whether warning signs were ignored and whether adequate safeguards were in place to protect minors.
Even when alleged events occurred decades ago, Massachusetts law may provide avenues for survivors whose disclosure was delayed — a recognized reality in cases of childhood trauma. Civil proceedings may result in financial compensation, but they may also establish a public record and provide formal acknowledgment of harm. For many survivors, that documentation and recognition are meaningful aspects of justice.
The civil justice system may offer a structured path toward accountability and transparency, separate from internal church processes. The availability of civil remedies depends on the facts and circumstances of each individual case, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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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