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Father John Paul Richard served within the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, including assignments at Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Parish in North Adams and North Adams State College in North Adams, where he worked through the late 1970s. On June 2, 2021, the diocese publicly named Richard on its list of credibly accused clergy, based on an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor between 1978 and 1980. This acknowledgment came forty-one to forty-three years after the abuse allegedly occurred, and thirty years after Richard’s death.
Richard died on June 17, 1991, in Lake Park, Florida. His death preceded the allegation by decades, meaning he never faced any formal accountability for the harm he allegedly caused. More than forty years passed between the alleged abuse and the Diocese’s public recognition of the allegation’s credibility in 2021. The Diocese of Springfield’s decision to include Richard on its list represents an institutional acknowledgment that the allegation was investigated and found credible.
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.
Civil law offers survivors a path to accountability and recognition, even when the accused is deceased. In cases such as Father Richard’s, civil claims may help survivors seek validation of their experiences, pursue financial compensation, and hold institutions accountable for failures in oversight or supervision. Pursuing legal avenues also sends a message to other institutions that safeguarding minors is a fundamental legal and moral responsibility.
Survivors may also benefit from documenting abuse through civil proceedings, which creates a public record and can support broader advocacy for systemic reform. These actions may encourage dioceses to strengthen protective measures for children and ensure that clergy misconduct is more effectively addressed in the future.
Pursuing civil remedies allows survivors to reclaim agency over their own stories. While criminal prosecution is no longer possible, civil litigation provides a meaningful avenue to acknowledge the harm endured and achieve a measure of justice — supporting the healing process through formal recognition of what occurred. Through civil proceedings, survivors can contribute to a broader record of institutional accountability, one that supports systemic reform and the protection of future generations.
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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