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1 800 686 9921Father Patrick J. Tague was ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Boston in 1963 and served in several parishes before leaving active ministry in the late 1960s. His assignments included Saint Margaret’s Parish in Lowell, Saint Thomas More Parish in Braintree, Saint Benedict’s Parish in Somerville, Saint Paul Parish in Hingham, and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater.
In 1979, Father Tague was convicted of stealing $30,000 from a Department of Youth Services halfway house for juvenile delinquents where he had been working. Allegations of clergy sexual abuse followed: he was accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old resident of a Department of Youth Services facility in Roslindale in 1971. His name also appeared among accused clergy whose personnel records were made public by the Archdiocese of Boston in 2002 and 2003.
A separate lawsuit, settled in November 2021 for a high five-figure sum, alleged that Father Tague sexually abused a then-7-year-old child in 1965 while assigned to Saint Benedict’s Parish in Somerville. According to accounts associated with that litigation, the alleged abuse occurred on two occasions inside a confessional. In March 2006, the Archdiocese of Boston announced Father Tague’s dismissal from the priesthood. His name was subsequently included on the Archdiocese’s August 2011 publicly released list of accused clergy, where he was placed in Category A — cases concluded canonically by dismissal. Father Tague died in January 2013 at the age of 75.
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 Patrick J. Tague 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 Tague 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 continue across multiple assignments and settings.
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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