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Father W. Francois Dufresne was a Roman Catholic priest ordained in 1933 who served in multiple parishes within the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, including assignments in Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Agawam, and Ware during his decades of ministry.
According to the Diocese of Springfield’s June 2021 report on clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse, Father Dufresne has been publicly named as credibly accused of the sexual abuse of a minor, with the reported conduct alleged to have occurred in 1955. Father Dufresne was included in the category of deceased clergy for whom allegations were reported posthumously. The diocese noted that no formal determination of guilt was made in these cases, as the priest was not alive to respond to the allegations.
Father Dufresne passed away in 1983, but his name was added to the Diocese of Springfield’s credibly accused list as part of an expanded transparency review released in June 2021. The diocese’s inclusion of his name reflects its assessment that the allegation against him met the diocese’s internal credibility standard.
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 who believe they were abused by Father W. Francois Dufresne may have the right to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Springfield, which publicly named him on its June 2021 disclosure list. That determination reflects the diocese’s own assessment that the allegation against him met its internal credibility standard, which may be relevant to questions about what the diocese knew or should have known regarding his conduct across his assignments in Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Agawam, and Ware.
Civil litigation may provide an avenue through which survivors could seek access to internal records and personnel files that could shed light on what officials knew about Father Dufresne’s conduct during his ministry and what actions, if any, were taken in response. His parish history spanning multiple communities across the diocese may raise questions about the oversight provided throughout his assignments.
When survivors pursue civil claims, they may help bring patterns of misconduct and institutional accountability into the public record, contributing to reforms that may protect others. For some survivors, civil litigation may also provide an opportunity to seek compensation for emotional suffering and long-term trauma. Pursuing a civil claim may allow survivors to affirm their experiences and have their voices heard in a formal setting.
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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