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1 800 686 9921
Father Richard T. Donahue was ordained in 1968 and served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, for over two decades, including an assignment at Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston. He later spent many years as a missionary in Honduras before returning to the United States for medical care.
Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor dating back to 1976 were brought forward against Donahue, and his name was subsequently added to the Archdiocese of Boston’s public list of priests whose allegations were reviewed by the diocese. One such claim involved a boy who alleged he was molested at age 12; that matter was resolved through a 2019 settlement with the Archdiocese. Donahue denied the accusations and died on September 9, 2020.
Although the Archdiocese of Boston placed Donahue on its list of priests whose allegations were deemed “unsubstantiated” following diocesan review, that designation has been publicly criticized in light of the concurrent settlement of a civil claim. The Archdiocese’s internal classification does not govern civil proceedings.
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 Richard T. Donahue may have the right to pursue civil claims against the Archdiocese of Boston. The Archdiocese’s internal designation of allegations as unsubstantiated does not determine the outcome of civil proceedings, which apply independent legal standards. We encourage potential survivors to contact us for a confidential consultation to understand their options.
Civil litigation may examine what information the Archdiocese considered in its internal review, what prompted the decision to settle a civil claim rather than contest it, and what the Archdiocese knew about Donahue’s conduct during his assignments at Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston. The tension between the Archdiocese’s unsubstantiated designation and its decision to settle a civil claim for a substantial sum is a documented and publicly criticized contradiction that may be relevant to further civil proceedings.
Civil proceedings may allow the institutional response to allegations against Donahue to be fully examined and documented, while potentially providing survivors with compensation for therapy, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress.
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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