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Father Steven W. Poitras was placed on administrative leave from his assignment as parochial vicar at St. Michael Parish in Hudson, Massachusetts, in November 2006, following an allegation that he had sexually abused a child in 1994. Upon receiving the complaint, the Archdiocese initiated a preliminary internal investigation and notified the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
According to contemporaneous news reports, Poitras had served as an assistant priest at St. Michael Parish in North Andover beginning in 1993. During that assignment, he reportedly claimed to be undergoing treatment for cancer — a claim that was later revealed to be fabricated. In early 1995, Cardinal Bernard Law placed him on sick leave following a psychological assessment in which Poitras admitted he had staged the illness. He did not return to St. Michael Parish in North Andover.
Following subsequent assignments at St. Ann Parish in Somerville and other locations, Poitras was serving at St. Michael Parish in Hudson when the sexual abuse allegation surfaced in November 2006. The alleged abuse was reported to have occurred in 1994, during his time in North Andover. Church officials stated that the alleged incident did not occur at the parish to which Poitras was assigned at that time.
Poitras remained on administrative leave for several years as a canonical proceeding was conducted. As of June 2009, the Archdiocese’s own website reflected him as active within the clergy personnel office, despite his administrative leave status. The canonical case remained in progress as late as October 2015. The Archdiocese’s Review Board ultimately found the allegation unsubstantiated; however, Poitras was laicized in 2018, formally removing him from the clerical state.
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 case of Father Steven W. Poitras reflects a pattern that many survivors of clergy abuse have experienced: allegations that surface years after the reported harm, a prolonged institutional process, and an outcome that may leave survivors without a full sense of accountability or recognition.
Regardless of how a Church investigation concludes, survivors of clergy sexual abuse may have independent legal rights under civil law. Civil litigation may allow survivors to seek compensation for the psychological, emotional, and other harm they have suffered. It may also shed light on whether Church authorities adequately supervised clergy, responded appropriately to early warning signs, or took actions — or failed to take actions — that placed minors at continued risk.
Civil claims may potentially produce tangible outcomes, including financial compensation, as well as broader accountability through the formal legal record. Depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual case, certain historical claims may be actionable under Massachusetts law. If you or someone you know may have been harmed by Father Poitras or another member of the clergy in the Archdiocese of Boston, you may wish to consult with an attorney to understand what legal options may be available to you.
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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