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Father Robert E. Kelley served as a priest in the Diocese of Worcester from 1968 until he was removed from active ministry in the mid-1980s. During his assignments at Notre Dame Parish in Southbridge, St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg, St. Cecilia’s Parish in Leominster, and Sacred Heart Parish in Gardner, he committed documented acts of sexual abuse against girls across all four locations. In a sworn civil deposition, Kelley admitted to sexually abusing between 50 and 100 girls during his time at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Leominster alone, and acknowledged additional victims at other parishes throughout his ministry.
Kelley was convicted twice on criminal charges arising from his sexual abuse. His first conviction came in 1990, after which he served approximately six years in state prison before being released in 1996. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to raping two additional victims and was sentenced to a second term of five to seven years in state prison. He was removed from active ministry by the Diocese in the mid-1980s and formally laicized by the Vatican in June 2015, at which point the Diocese discontinued his monthly stipend. As of 2015, reports indicated that Kelley was living in a Boston homeless shelter.
Multiple civil lawsuits were filed against Kelley and the Diocese of Worcester by survivors of his abuse. In one proceeding, a court assessed $527,734 in damages against Kelley personally, following a default judgment entered after he failed to respond to the lawsuit; the Diocese was not held liable in that case. Additional lawsuits brought by survivors were settled out of court, including several resolved with the Diocese by 2006. Due to the statute of limitations, some survivors were unable to pursue civil claims at all, and at least one was forced to withdraw her lawsuit after the Diocese threatened to seek triple its legal costs if she proceeded.
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 Father Robert E. Kelley’s sexual abuse may find justice and validation through civil avenues, which provide an opportunity to formally acknowledge the trauma and wrongdoing endured. These proceedings may allow survivors to create an official record of the abuse, so that their experiences can be recognized even decades after the events occurred. Civil remedies may include monetary compensation, which can offer practical support for therapy, medical expenses, or other needs stemming from the abuse.
Beyond financial compensation, pursuing civil action may allow survivors of sexual abuse to reclaim agency over their personal narratives and reinforces the principle that such abuses are unacceptable and must be addressed. These proceedings also contribute to holding institutions accountable for failures in oversight and protection, and may support emotional healing and provide an opportunity to seek a measure of closure.
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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