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Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Joseph P. Quinlan served in multiple parishes across the Diocese of Springfield, including assignments in Palmer, Springfield, and East Longmeadow, as well as at Cathedral High School in Springfield. In November 2021, his name was publicly added to the Diocese’s official list of credibly accused clergy, following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in 1974. Cases like this one illustrate how abuse within parish and school environments often goes unacknowledged for decades, creating significant barriers for survivors seeking recognition of the harm they experienced.
Father Quinlan passed away on July 27, 1989. Because he died before the allegation was formally reviewed, he had previously been shielded by a diocesan policy — since abandoned — that declined to find allegations against deceased priests credible. The Diocese’s Review Board ultimately found the allegation credible following a thorough review, representing an important institutional acknowledgment for those affected. Survivors should be aware that the death of an accused priest does not necessarily foreclose all options for seeking accountability.
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.
Even when accused clergy are deceased, survivors may have options to pursue civil remedies that recognize their experiences and seek to hold the institution accountable for its role in enabling abuse. The Diocese’s formal acknowledgment of this allegation represents an institutional recognition of its credibility and may be relevant to potential civil claims, which could seek financial compensation and formal accountability for harms suffered.
Civil litigation may also serve as a tool to examine systemic failures within institutions — including inadequate oversight, insufficient support for victims, and broader questions about how dioceses respond to allegations of misconduct. Massachusetts law may provide pathways for survivors to bring claims that address both the harm inflicted by an individual priest and the Diocese’s broader institutional responsibilities.
By pursuing justice through the civil courts, survivors may be able to reclaim agency, assert their rights, and achieve a measure of accountability that institutional responses alone may not provide. Legal action can reinforce transparency and contribute to broader awareness and prevention of abuse within religious institutions. It is important for survivors to know that even decades-old abuse may fall within the scope of civil law, depending on applicable statutes and individual circumstances. Survivors are encouraged to consult with an attorney to understand what options may be available to them.
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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