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Father Thomas E. O’Dea served in the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts for nearly four decades until his death in January 1999. In 1993, a man came forward alleging that O’Dea had sexually abused him in the 1960s when he was age 12, in a school basement while O’Dea was assigned to St. James Parish in New Bedford. The accuser also reported that he had been abused by Father James Porter during the same period, when both priests were assigned to the same parish.
O’Dea denied the allegation. The Diocese investigated the matter through its Diocesan Review Board, which unanimously found insufficient evidence of improper activity, and Bishop O’Malley permitted O’Dea to continue in active ministry until his death. The original news report of the allegation was later revisited by the journalist who published it, who noted the story lacked corroboration. Nevertheless, O’Dea’s name was included in January 2021 on the Diocese of Fall River’s public disclosure of clergy facing sexual abuse allegations.
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 record surrounding Father Thomas E. O’Dea illustrates the complexities that often characterize clergy abuse allegations — including delayed disclosure, institutional review processes, and the passage of decades between alleged events and public acknowledgment. Survivors may come forward years or even decades after abuse occurred, and their accounts can raise important questions about how institutions responded when concerns were first brought forward.
Civil law may offer survivors a path to seek accountability for harm they have endured. In cases involving clergy, the legal process may examine whether church officials appropriately investigated allegations, whether adequate safeguards were in place, and whether children were protected from potential harm.
For survivors, civil action may provide meaningful acknowledgment of their experiences and create a public record of misconduct that might otherwise remain hidden. The process may also encourage greater institutional transparency and reinforce the responsibility of organizations to prioritize the safety of those in their care.
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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