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Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Paul G. Connolly was a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA, who faced allegations that he sexually abused at least eleven altar boys during the 1960s. In the mid-1960s, the parents of one boy reported the abuse directly to the Diocese. Rather than removing Connolly from ministry, the Diocese transferred him to another assignment, where he continued as an active priest.
Connolly remained in active ministry until 1992, when additional charges surfaced and he was placed on administrative leave. A list publicly released in 2002 by the Bristol County District Attorney identified Connolly as having eight alleged victims, all of whom were beyond the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution. In January 2021, the Diocese of Fall River included Connolly on its official list of credibly accused clergy, noting that his faculties had been removed and that he had died in 2007.
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.
Civil litigation may provide survivors who were sexually abused by Father Paul G. Connolly with a means to pursue recognition of harm and accountability from the institution that retained him despite early warnings. Legal claims in cases like this often focus on the Diocese’s knowledge of prior allegations, its handling of complaints, and decisions regarding the reassignment of clergy to roles with access to children. Such proceedings may seek to establish institutional liability for negligence. For survivors, these actions may provide a means of pursuing redress for the lasting impacts of abuse.
Depending on the circumstances, Massachusetts law may allow survivors to file civil claims even many years after the abuse occurred. An attorney can evaluate whether a claim may still be viable. Civil actions often involve the discovery of personnel records, internal correspondence, and transfer histories, which may help illustrate patterns of concealment or inadequate supervision. This documentation may be significant not only in pursuing compensation but also in exposing systemic failures within institutions.
Litigation can also bring transparency to how the Church responded historically and may help prevent similar misconduct in the future. Pursuing civil claims may empower survivors to have their voices heard and may help promote institutional accountability that benefits current and future generations.
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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