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1 800 686 9921
Father John M. Mendicoa, originally from Spain, served in the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, including an assignment at Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale. On August 14, 2011, the Archdiocese announced that he had been placed on administrative leave following an allegation that he sexually abused a child in the 1980s. Law enforcement authorities were notified at that time.
Father Mendicoa also worked outside Massachusetts, including assignments in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, DC. At various points in his ministry, he appeared to have affiliations with different religious orders. In March 2012, he was listed on the Archdiocese of Boston’s website among clergy whose publicly announced cases had not yet been resolved canonically. In April 2012, the Archdiocese stated that the allegation had been deemed unsubstantiated and assigned him the status of “senior priest, restricted.” His status remained unchanged on the Archdiocese’s public list as of August 2022. Father Mendicoa died in 2019. Survivors who experienced harm during his ministry may still have the right to explore civil accountability.
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.
Allegations of clergy sexual abuse often involve complex factual and institutional histories. When an allegation surfaces decades after the reported misconduct, civil review may examine how the Archdiocese responded, whether safeguards were implemented, and whether prior concerns existed. Even when an allegation is described as unsubstantiated in a canonical context, survivors may pursue independent civil remedies.
Depending on the circumstances, Massachusetts law may provide avenues for individuals who were harmed as children to seek accountability in civil court. These claims can address not only the alleged misconduct itself but also questions of supervision, reporting, and administrative response. The fact that a priest served in multiple states or under different affiliations may also become relevant in evaluating oversight and institutional knowledge.
For many survivors, civil action is not solely about financial recovery. It is about acknowledgment, transparency, and ensuring that the full record of events is examined. Even after a priest’s death, civil proceedings may shed light on institutional practices and affirm the experiences of those who came forward.
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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