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1 800 686 9921
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1 800 686 9921
Father John M. Sweeney was ordained in 1998 and co-founded the Franciscans of Primitive Observance, a religious community operating under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. He was assigned to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in New Bedford from 1998 to 2004.
In May 2019, a then-37-year-old woman publicly accused Father Sweeney of sexually abusing her during a leadership retreat in 2000, when she was a teenager living in Vermont. According to her account, Sweeney encouraged the young people at the retreat to attend confession. Following confessionals, he allegedly told several teenagers that they were possessed and that he would perform exorcisms on them. She alleges that the sexual abuse of herself and others occurred during these supposed exorcisms. Reports indicated there may have been multiple survivors. One civil case related to the allegations was settled in November 2020.
On May 19, 2021, Father Sweeney’s name appeared on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s list of priests accused of sexual abuse in other U.S. dioceses who also ministered within the archdiocese. The Santa Fe list noted that he had been at Christ in the Desert in 2011. The Archdiocese of Boston stated that Sweeney was no longer a priest in the Catholic Church.
Survivors of sexual abuse involving claims of possession and exorcism may carry particular psychological burdens. When abuse is framed within religious ritual, it may intensify confusion, fear, and long-term trauma. Public acknowledgment of allegations is often only one step in a much longer journey toward accountability and healing.
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 M. Sweeney may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Archdiocese of Boston for its alleged failure to protect children in its care. Massachusetts law may allow claims against the archdiocese for negligent supervision of clergy. Even when a priest is no longer in active ministry, 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 knowledge of prior misconduct or systemic failures. 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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