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Father Paul J. McLaughlin was ordained in 1955 in Yakima, Washington. He later served in the Archdiocese of Boston and retired from ministry there in 2001. After retiring, he relocated to California, where he served part time at a parish in the Diocese of San Bernardino. The Boston Archdiocese placed him on administrative leave following sexual abuse allegations, and the Diocese of San Bernardino subsequently barred him from any further ministry in that diocese in early 2003.
In 2002, three men came forward to accuse him of sexually abusing them in Massachusetts when they were minors during the 1960s. Their accounts were first reported publicly by the Boston Globe in February 2003. Records indicate that the Archdiocese of Boston was aware of at least one allegation in May 2002 but did not notify the Diocese of San Bernardino until September 2002. His personnel file reportedly referenced one instance of unspecified physical abuse and another allegation that he directed boys to participate in nude Greco-Roman wrestling. He denied the accusations.
Father McLaughlin was included on the Archdiocese of Boston’s August 2011 list of accused clergy with the status “Administrative Leave; Case in Process.” In June 2021, a lawsuit was settled in the high five figures involving allegations that he had sexually abused a boy between the ages of 8 and 10 multiple times from 1967 to 1969 while assigned to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Swampscott, Massachusetts. In September 2021, the Vatican sentenced him to a life of prayer and penance, barring him from all public ministry. Father McLaughlin died in November 2021 at age 91, with institutional accountability questions left unresolved for many survivors.
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.
The documented pattern of delayed disclosure between the Archdiocese of Boston and the Diocese of San Bernardino raises serious questions about institutional oversight — questions that civil litigation is designed to examine. When sexual abuse allegations span multiple dioceses and decades, survivors often face significant challenges in understanding who knew what, and when. Civil litigation allows these issues to be examined under Massachusetts law, independent of church-imposed penalties or canonical proceedings.
In cases involving transfers or communications between dioceses, courts may review when leadership first became aware of allegations and whether appropriate steps were taken to protect children. The timeline of notifications between Boston and San Bernardino may be a relevant factor in evaluating institutional responsibility.
A Vatican directive to live a life of prayer and penance is an internal church action. It does not resolve civil claims. Survivors may retain the right to pursue civil claims against institutional defendants such as the Archdiocese of Boston, depending on their individual circumstances and the statutes of limitations that apply to their claims.
Settlements reached in civil cases reflect negotiated resolutions between specific parties and do not preclude other individuals from pursuing their own claims where the law permits. Massachusetts law recognizes that many survivors of childhood sexual abuse do not come forward immediately, and in some cases allows claims to be filed years after the abuse occurred — particularly where public disclosures help survivors understand and contextualize what happened to them. The specific deadlines that apply depend on the nature of the claim, the identity of the defendants, and individual circumstances, and should be evaluated with an attorney.
The civil justice process provides structured procedures for presenting evidence, examining records, and assessing institutional responsibility. For survivors, it may offer a measure of acknowledgment and transparency — as well as financial recovery — that internal church processes cannot provide.
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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