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Father Jose Maria B. Avila served within the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, for approximately 44 years, ministering across multiple parishes serving the Portuguese community in Taunton, Fall River, East Falmouth, and New Bedford. His name appeared on the list of 21 priests published by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in September 2002, though it was initially misspelled as “George Avellar.” The District Attorney’s office confirmed the allegations against Avila on September 26, 2002.
Reports indicate that he may have abused over 100 children over the course of his lengthy ministry. His pattern of conduct was described as widely known among members of the older Portuguese parishes he served. Avila died in November 1988. The Diocese of Fall River formally included him on its list of clergy with credible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors in January 2021.
The scale of the alleged abuse and the extended period over which it reportedly occurred make Father Avila one of the most significant figures of concern identified within the Fall River Diocese.
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 who were sexually abused by Father Jose Maria B. Avila during his decades of service in the Diocese of Fall River deserve the opportunity to pursue accountability. The reported scope of his conduct — spanning nearly half a century of ministry across multiple parishes — points to a prolonged failure by church leadership to protect the children in their care. When an institution enables abuse to continue by failing to act on known or suspected misconduct, it may bear civil liability for the harm suffered by those it was entrusted to protect.
Massachusetts civil law may allow survivors to seek justice against both individual abusers and the organizations that shielded them from accountability. In cases involving deceased clergy, litigation may focus on the diocese itself — examining what church officials knew and when, and whether adequate steps were taken to remove a credibly accused priest from access to children.
The Fall River Diocese’s 2021 acknowledgment of Father Avila’s conduct, though long overdue, validates what many survivors endured in silence for decades. Survivors may be entitled to compensation for the trauma, loss, and ongoing harm they have experienced.
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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