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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Martin J. Walsh was ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston on May 18, 1974, and served at parishes in Waltham, Malden, and Somerville, among other assignments. He also served as chaplain at Malden Catholic High School. Walsh died on June 21, 2007, at the age of fifty-eight.
In December 1997, an allegation reached the Archdiocese that Walsh had sexually abused a minor at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish in Waltham during the 1970s, when the survivor was approximately fourteen years old. The allegation was conveyed to the Archdiocese by a third party on behalf of the survivor, who had died of lung cancer that same month. According to archdiocesan records, Walsh denied the allegation. The survivor had also indicated that two other individuals who had served as altar boys at the parish may have been abused by Walsh as well.
Walsh went on leave of absence in 1997 following a relapse into alcohol abuse and was placed on permanent disability in 2002. A November 2003 internal memorandum noted that Cardinal Law had written to Walsh in November 2002 stating he was impeded from the exercise of ministry; however, according to that same memorandum, no formal canonical process was ever completed, and Walsh was not in fact restricted from ministry at the time.
A civil lawsuit was filed against Walsh and settled in December 2014 — involving allegations of sexual abuse at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish in Waltham in 1975. That settlement carried no admission of liability. As of March 2016, Walsh appears on the Archdiocese of Boston’s List of Unsubstantiated Cases, a category applied to priests whose publicized allegations were found unsubstantiated by the Review Board following a preliminary investigation.
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 sexual abuse by Father Martin J. Walsh may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Archdiocese of Boston for its alleged failure to protect children in its care. Massachusetts law may allow claims against the Archdiocese for negligent supervision of clergy. Even though Father Walsh 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 knowledge of prior misconduct or systemic failures. Accessing such documentation may be valuable for survivors, as it can provide insight into institutional awareness and the decisions that may have allowed abuse to occur.
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.
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