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Father Joseph P. Reilly was ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1943 and served in parishes across eastern Massachusetts for nearly five decades. Following a brief assignment at St. Mary’s in Foxboro and service as a U.S. Army chaplain, he was assigned to St. Agatha’s Parish in Milton, where he remained from 1948 to 1970. He subsequently served at St. Martha’s in Plainville and St. Malachy’s in Burlington. After formally entering retirement in 1986, he remained present at additional parishes — including St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge and Holy Name in West Roxbury — before his death on June 4, 1992.
Allegations against Father Reilly surfaced after his death. In 1999, two men each reported to the Archdiocese that Reilly had sexually abused them during his time at St. Agatha’s. One described being abused as a ten or eleven-year-old altar boy; the other reported an incident when he was a sixteen-year-old member of a boys’ choir Reilly had started at the parish.
In 2002, a third allegation emerged, describing the molestation of a prepubescent girl at St. Agatha’s sometime between 1961 and 1963. The Archdiocese of Boston has publicly listed Father Reilly as a priest against whom allegations of child sexual abuse were made and publicized.
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The allegations against Father Joseph P. Reilly span multiple years of his lengthy assignment at St. Agatha’s in Milton and involve survivors of different ages and backgrounds, including altar boys, a choir member, and a young girl. If accurate, these accounts — spanning different years and different victims — would reflect a pattern of conduct extending across a significant portion of his more than two decades at that parish. Because all three allegations came to light only after Reilly’s death, no criminal or canonical proceedings were initiated, and he did not have the opportunity to respond formally to the claims.
When an accused priest has died before allegations are made public, civil claims may focus on the institution responsible for his supervision and placement. The Archdiocese of Boston oversaw Reilly’s assignments throughout his ministry, including his more than twenty-year tenure at St. Agatha’s, a parish with a substantial school enrollment during that period.
Civil claims in cases of this nature may examine what the Archdiocese knew, whether concerns were raised during his time in ministry, and whether the oversight structures in place were adequate to protect those in its care. Survivors connected to Father Reilly’s ministry are encouraged to consult with a clergy abuse attorney to understand what civil remedies 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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