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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Paul David White was ordained on February 2, 1961, and served as an assistant at Sacred Heart Parish in Bradford, Massachusetts, beginning on February 14, 1961. His sole recorded parish assignment ended in 1972, when he was placed on a leave of absence. At the time of a 1998 civil lawsuit against him, he was identified as a Latin teacher at Haverhill High School.
Allegations of clergy sexual abuse emerged from a former altar boy who reported that abuse occurred at Sacred Heart Parish in Bradford over a period of years beginning in 1964. The civil lawsuit was filed in Essex Superior Court in June 1998 against Father White and the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Archdiocese later settled the case.
Father White subsequently underwent laicization — a voluntary process under Church law by which a cleric is separated from the clerical state — and was formally laicized on June 10, 2005. Because laicization is voluntary and does not involve a determination of guilt, it does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or a finding of misconduct. His case was included in the Archdiocese of Boston’s August 2011 published list of clergy accused of sexually abusing a child, under Category B: cases concluded canonically by laicization.
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 Paul David White 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 when a priest is deceased or no longer in active ministry, 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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