Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Louis Toma was a Scalabrini priest who served as pastor of St. Lazarus Church in East Boston from 1911 until his death in 1961 — a tenure of approximately fifty years. His lengthy presence at a single parish provided him with sustained access to generations of families and children. In August 2005, several women wrote to Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley alleging that Father Toma had sexually abused numerous young girls during his decades as pastor. The Archdiocese of Boston’s Victims’ Support Office director stated that the women’s accounts were individually convincing, collectively consistent, and showed a pattern of recognizable abuse, adding that there was no doubt the women were telling “a terrible truth.”
Father Toma died in 1961, decades before any public accountability. In October 2006, the archdiocese arranged for the removal of a bust of Father Toma from the parish grounds and the renaming of the parish youth center — steps taken at the request of survivors, who described the memorials as ongoing sources of pain. His name also does not appear on the list of accused clergy that the Archdiocese of Boston published in August 2011, which omitted religious order and visiting clergy as a category. Father Toma was a member of the Scalabrini order, not a diocesan priest.
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 clergy sexual abuse by Father Louis Toma may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Archdiocese of Boston and the Scalabrini order for their alleged failure to protect children in their care. Massachusetts law may allow claims for negligent supervision of clergy. Even when a priest is deceased, civil proceedings may enable survivors to document and validate their experiences.
The legal process may uncover institutional records, including personnel files, correspondence, and internal investigations, which may reveal what church or order leadership knew about prior misconduct and what decisions may have allowed abuse to continue. Accessing such documentation may be valuable for survivors seeking a fuller understanding of how the institutional environment around Father Toma’s ministry operated.
Civil claims may result in compensation for long-term psychological trauma, therapy, and emotional distress, but equally important is the public acknowledgment and validation of survivors’ experiences. Pursuing legal remedies may allow survivors to confront historical injustices, contribute to transparency, and reinforce institutional responsibility to prevent future abuse. For many survivors, civil litigation offers an opportunity to reclaim their voice, place their experiences in the public record, and contribute to the kind of accountability that can support healing — both for themselves and the broader community.
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.
Attorney Advertising Disclaimer
This is an advertisement for legal services. The content provided is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect current legal developments. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal outcomes depend on numerous factors, including specific facts, applicable law, opposing parties, and other circumstances. Do not take action based solely on the information in this advertisement. Every case is different. Any discussion of past results is for illustrative purposes only and does not guarantee or predict similar outcomes in future cases. No statement in this advertisement should be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of results. In the absence of a recovery, no fee will be charged to you and you will not be liable for any litigation expenses.
Attorney-Client Relationship & Confidentiality
Viewing this advertisement, contacting our firm, or requesting a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Such a relationship is only formed through a signed agreement with our firm. Any information shared between you and our firm before an attorney-client relationship is established is not confidential, privileged, or protected from disclosure. If you require immediate legal assistance, please contact our office directly.
Responsibility for Content
This advertisement is sponsored by Herman Law Firm.
Data Collection & Tracking
This advertisement may use tracking technology and allow third parties, including Meta, to collect data from user interactions for advertising and analytics purposes. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies for targeted advertising. To learn more about data collection practices and opt-out options, visit: https://optout.aboutads.info/?c=2&lang=EN.
Call us: 1 866 850 3766 
call us: 1 866 850 3766 
Message Us 
Call Us