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1 800 686 9921
Michael Walsh grew up in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and served as a layman at St. Francis de Sales Church there before joining the United States Air Force. After retiring from the military, he relocated to Dorchester, where, from approximately 1988 through 1991, he served as altar boy coordinator at St. Brendan’s Church and as a coach in the Cedar Grove Baseball League.
According to prosecutors, Walsh used those positions to gain access to, groom, and sexually abuse a child who was then in the fourth through sixth grades. The alleged abuse occurred across multiple locations, including Walsh’s home, his car, his office, and a hotel during a youth baseball trip to Cooperstown, New York. A Suffolk County grand jury indicted Walsh in September 2016 on charges of rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under age 14.
Walsh was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in June 2002 — but was removed from ministry within months after separate allegations of sexual abuse surfaced in connection with his earlier time at St. Francis de Sales Church in Charlestown. Walsh was not laicized; according to reporting by the Detroit Free Press, he remained a priest and continued to receive financial support from the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The Boston Globe has reported that Walsh also faced civil action in connection with these allegations.
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 Michael 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 and lay ministry volunteers. Even where criminal proceedings have concluded, civil claims may remain available to survivors seeking their own form of accountability.
The civil 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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