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1 800 686 9921
Father John T. Atwater was ordained in 1963 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston for nearly four decades. He began his ministry as an assistant at the Catholic Boys Guidance Center in Boston from 1963 to 1971, then served as Executive Director of Cushing Hall in Scituate from 1971 to 1985. He went on to serve as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Peabody from 1985 to 1990, and as pastor of Sacred Heart – St. James Parish in Groton from 1990 until his retirement in 2000. He died on November 7, 2006. In August 2011, the Archdiocese of Boston included Atwater’s name on its official list of clergy accused of child sexual abuse.
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 T. Atwater may be able to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston even though Atwater died in 2006 and no canonical investigation was completed during his lifetime. The Archdiocese’s inclusion of his name on its 2011 disclosure list reflects an institutional acknowledgment that allegations against him were credible enough to warrant public disclosure.
Civil litigation may compel the Archdiocese to produce internal records, personnel files, and communications that clarify what officials knew about Atwater’s conduct across his assignments and whether appropriate action was taken. His nearly four decades of ministry — spanning roles at the Catholic Boys Guidance Center, Cushing Hall, and two additional parish assignments — raises legitimate questions about institutional oversight that civil proceedings may help examine.
For survivors, civil claims may provide compensation for therapy, emotional distress, and long-term psychological harm, while also creating a formal record that validates their experiences. The fact that Atwater’s canonical process was never completed does not eliminate the Archdiocese’s responsibility for the supervision it provided during his active years, and civil proceedings may allow survivors to pursue the full measure of accountability that public disclosure alone cannot deliver.
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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