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Father Nicholas J. Spagnolo was a Stigmatine priest ordained in 1952 who served at locations in Massachusetts and beyond. Personnel files released in February 2003 revealed that he had been accused of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls during the 1960s. A woman came forward in 1992 alleging that Father Spagnolo touched her inappropriately and made sexual remarks during counseling sessions beginning in 1960, when she was 15. She had originally sought his help after being molested by a relative. In 1993, Father Spagnolo admitted to church officials that he had routinely violated boundaries while counseling during that period and acknowledged that his behavior had been inappropriate.
Following that admission, the Archdiocese of Boston directed that he not minister without supervision and wrote to the Stigmatine Order placing him on restricted ministry. Despite those directives, reports indicate he continued attempting to arrange retreats for lay and religious women for several years afterward. He remained active at Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington, Massachusetts, and in October 2002 organized a forum there on the clergy sexual abuse crisis.
Father Spagnolo’s name appears on the Diocese of Fall River’s publicly accused clergy list, published in January 2021, which noted that he had been granted limited faculties to assist in charitable work on Cape Cod. That list identifies clergy named in media reports or other dioceses’ disclosures and does not constitute an independent credibility determination by the Diocese of Fall River. Father Spagnolo died on December 25, 2013.
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 Nicholas J. Spagnolo may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek accountability against the Stigmatine Order and potentially other institutions for their alleged failure to protect those in their care. Massachusetts law may allow claims against a religious order for negligent supervision and retention of clergy despite known allegations of misconduct. 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 knowledge of prior misconduct or systemic failures. In Father Spagnolo’s case, internal church records were released to the public in 2003 and documented both the allegations against him and the institutional response — the kind of documentation that may be relevant in civil proceedings. Accessing such records may be valuable for survivors, as they can provide insight into institutional awareness and the decisions that may have allowed abuse to continue.
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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