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Father Joseph F. Byrne was a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, whose later ministry included retirement service at St. Patrick’s Parish in Falmouth, MA, within the Diocese of Fall River, MA, where he assisted as a fill-in priest. In 2005, Father Joseph F. Byrne received probation following a conviction related to theft of parish funds, an incident that drew administrative attention during his later years in ministry.
In May 2012, Father Byrne was removed from ministry after an allegation of sexually abusing a child in the early 1970s. The Archdiocese’s Review Board later deemed that allegation unsubstantiated, and he was reinstated on May 23, 2013. Criminal charges were not filed due to the statute of limitations.
In February 2014, Father Joseph F. Byrne was removed from ministry again after a second allegation of child sexual abuse from the same general time period emerged. He was placed on administrative leave, and his case remained in process when his name was added to the Archdiocese of Boston, MA’s public list of accused clergy in March 2014. Father Joseph F. Byrne died on June 18, 2014.
His name later appeared on a publicly released March 28, 2016, list of accused clerics connected to civil claims resulting in settlements or arbitration awards. He was also included on the Diocese of Fall River’s list in January 2021. An updated Archdiocese list published in August 2022 stated that the allegations were considered unsubstantiated.
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 connected to Father Joseph F. Byrne may be able to pursue justice through civil litigation regardless of internal Church findings. Civil courts operate under different evidentiary standards, which may allow survivors to present testimony, documentation, and institutional records in support of their claims.
Legal actions often examine whether Church leadership responded appropriately to allegations, including supervision practices, investigative steps, and decisions regarding continued ministry. When institutional failures are established, religious organizations may be held liable for the harm that followed. Just as significant, these proceedings may create an official record that acknowledges survivor experiences and promotes transparency within religious institutions.
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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