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1 800 686 9921
Free CASE REVIEWS
1 800 686 9921
Father Robert V. Gale was ordained in 1968 and served in the Archdiocese of Boston across multiple parishes, including Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain, St. Joseph’s Parish in Quincy, and St. Jude’s Parish in Waltham, where he was associate pastor beginning in 1979. He also served as a summer camp chaplain at Camp Fatima in New Hampshire, a Diocese of Manchester facility. According to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s 2003 report, allegations that Father Gale was sexually abusing children were brought to senior Archdiocese of Boston managers as early as 1979 and continued through 1994.
A survivor alleged that in 1979, while assigned to St. Joseph’s in Quincy, Father Gale took a 12-year-old altar boy to Camp Fatima and then to his sister’s apartment in Manchester, New Hampshire, where the survivor alleged he was sexually assaulted; that civil claim settled for $80,000. Following parishioner complaints, Father Gale was transferred from Quincy to St. Jude’s in Waltham, where parishioners forced his removal in 1987. A separate survivor has alleged that Father Gale sexually abused him in a Boston rectory in 1993, while Father Gale remained in archdiocesan assignments. He was placed on administrative leave following his 2002 indictment.
That indictment charged Father Gale on four counts of child rape for alleged assaults on an altar boy at St. Jude’s between 1980 and 1984, when the survivor was between 10 and 14 years old. On the eve of trial, Father Gale pleaded guilty in November 2004 and was sentenced to four and a half to five years in state prison followed by 25 years of probation. The Vatican decreed his removal from the clerical state in 2006. He is listed on the Archdiocese of Boston’s published list of clergy found guilty of sexually abusing a child, is registered in Massachusetts as a Level 3 sex offender — the highest-risk designation — and appears in the investigative records released by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office.
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 Robert Gale 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 with criminal proceedings concluded, 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. Given that the Massachusetts AG’s report documented that complaints about Father Gale reached senior archdiocesan officials as early as 1979, accessing such documentation may be particularly meaningful for survivors seeking to understand what the institution knew and when.
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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