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1 800 686 9921
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1 800 686 9921
Father William Boffa was ordained in 1975 and served throughout the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts in a range of roles — parish priest, high school chaplain, camp and retreat house director, and director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). These positions gave him significant access to children and young people across schools, parishes, camps, and youth programs.
In May 2001, Boffa announced to his parish that he would be taking a leave of absence to address stress and depression. He stepped away from active ministry at that time. In January 2021, the Diocese of Fall River publicly named him on its official list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse. His faculties have been removed, prohibiting him from functioning as a priest in any capacity.
His inclusion on the Diocese’s list reflects an official determination that allegations against him were credible following an internal investigation. The specific details of those allegations and the number of victims have not been made public.
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 William Boffa may be able to pursue civil claims against the Diocese of Fall River. His ministry spanned multiple institutional roles — parish priest, high school chaplain, camp and retreat house director, and CYO director — giving him broad access to children and young people across different settings. That breadth of access raises questions about what oversight the Diocese provided and whether concerns about his conduct were ever documented or addressed.
Civil litigation may build on the Diocese’s credibility determination by compelling the production of internal records and personnel files that clarify what church officials knew about Boffa’s conduct across his various assignments. For survivors, civil claims may provide compensation for therapy, long-term psychological harm, and emotional distress, while ensuring that the Diocese’s supervisory responsibilities are formally examined and its institutional response fully documented through the legal process.
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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