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Father Leo Thomas Riley was a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata (Stigmatines), a Catholic religious order, and served as a teacher at Elm Bank Minor Seminary in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In 2002, a man came forward and alleged that Riley had sexually abused him over a four-year period in the late 1950s while he was a student at Elm Bank and Riley was his teacher. According to the Stigmatines’ own Provincial, Rev. Charles Egan, the victim had reported the abuse directly to him at the time it occurred. Despite this, Riley was transferred — and the complaint was neither formally recorded nor shared with others. When the matter resurfaced in 2002, Rev. Egan acknowledged having received the original allegations. Riley died on February 22, 1995.
The resurfacing of these sexual abuse allegations decades later reflects a pattern all too common in institutional abuse cases: complaints made by children were received by those in authority, and then quietly set aside.
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.
Civil law may provide survivors with a way to pursue accountability even when the accused has passed away. Where a civil claim may be available, survivors may be able to seek acknowledgment of their trauma, pursue compensation, and hold institutions accountable for failing to protect children in their care. Although criminal prosecution is no longer possible, civil litigation may offer a meaningful avenue for survivors to have the harm they endured formally recognized.
Documentation through civil proceedings can also help preserve public records, which may be essential for advocacy and systemic reform. Survivors who come forward may contribute to broader awareness of institutional failures, encouraging religious organizations and other institutions to implement stronger protective measures.
Civil action may also allow survivors to reclaim a measure of control over their own stories — and to pursue the closure, accountability, and healing they deserve. Individuals who believe they may have been harmed by Father Riley or by the Stigmatine order’s failure to act are encouraged to speak with an attorney to explore whether legal 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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