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1 800 686 9921
Father Joseph E. Birmingham was ordained on February 2, 1960, and served in the Archdiocese of Boston until his death in April 1989. He has been accused of sexually abusing more than 50 individuals throughout his nearly three decades of ministry. According to archdiocesan records, church officials were made aware of abuse allegations as early as 1964, yet responded by transferring him to another parish rather than removing him from ministry — a pattern that repeated across multiple assignments over the following two decades.
In 1987, after Birmingham admitted to abusing a child when confronted by archdiocesan officials, he was sent for treatment at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut. He died two years later. The scope of his alleged abuse remained largely hidden until one survivor began placing newspaper advertisements asking whether others remembered Father Birmingham, located additional survivors, and filed suit — settling with the Archdiocese. In 2002, a lawsuit was filed naming 53 survivors in connection with Birmingham’s ministry. The broader archdiocesan settlement in 2003, which resolved claims involving hundreds of survivors across multiple priests, included many who alleged abuse by Birmingham. The Archdiocese of Boston added Birmingham’s name to its list of publicly accused clergy in August 2011.
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 Joseph E. Birmingham may be able to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston in one of the most extensively documented cases of institutional failure in the Archdiocese’s history. The Archdiocese’s own records indicate that officials were made aware of abuse allegations in 1964 — when the archdiocesan chancellor met with two survivors and Birmingham apologized — yet responded by transferring him to another parish rather than removing him from ministry. That decision, and the repeated transfers that followed over the next two decades, may be central to civil claims examining the Archdiocese’s institutional responsibility for the harm that continued after each transfer.
The legal process may compel the Archdiocese to produce internal records related to each transfer decision, the 1987 treatment referral, and communications between officials during the years when Birmingham’s alleged conduct was known internally but not disclosed publicly. The scale of the alleged abuse — with more than 50 individuals coming forward — and the multiple rounds of litigation that followed, reflect the extent of civil accountability that has already been sought in connection with his ministry.
For survivors who have not yet pursued claims, civil proceedings may provide compensation for therapy, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress, while also adding to the formal public record that documents the Archdiocese’s knowledge of and response to Birmingham’s conduct across his nearly three decades of ministry.
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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