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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Julian S. Pagacz served as a priest of the Polish National Catholic Church, serving as pastor of St. Valentine’s Parish in Northampton, Massachusetts, under the PNCC’s New England Diocese based in Manchester, New Hampshire. In February 1992, Pagacz was arrested and accused of raping two teenage girls while drinking with them in his home — allegations that led to criminal proceedings and significant community response.
The criminal case resulted in a plea arrangement in which Pagacz acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to support a finding of guilt on a charge of sexual assault. He was ordered to pay court costs and fines and to undergo sex offender counseling. Prior to the plea, the rape charges involving a 16-year-old girl were dropped separately after she declined to testify. The plea addressed the remaining indecent assault charge involving a 17-year-old girl, whose allegations both girls had recanted and, in the case of the 17-year-old, subsequently retracted.
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 Father Pagacz may experience lasting emotional and psychological effects stemming from abuse, including trauma, anxiety, and difficulties with trust and relationships. Civil litigation may allow survivors to pursue accountability — both for the priest’s direct conduct and for the institution’s role in permitting him to remain in a position of authority over children despite documented community petitions and repeated calls for his removal.
Pagacz remained at St. Valentine’s for five years after his plea, finally departing in 1997 citing personal reasons, without substantive public explanation to the community he had harmed. Depending on the specific circumstances and applicable statutes, Massachusetts law may provide survivors of abuse by clergy of any denomination the opportunity to seek civil remedies against the institutions responsible for placing and retaining individuals who posed a known risk to children. In some cases, legal action may result in financial compensation, an acknowledgment of harm, and a formal record of institutional wrongdoing.
Civil cases also play a vital role in promoting institutional reform. By documenting patterns of abuse and institutional failures, survivors help protect future children and encourage religious organizations to implement more effective safeguarding policies. Pursuing civil justice can therefore serve both personal and broader purposes — giving survivors a voice in the public record and contributing to the prevention of further harm.
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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