Sex Abuse Litigation

All institutions

Archdiocese of Boston

10 reports indexed, newest first.

December 2017

  1. Cardinal Bernard Law, central figure in Boston abuse scandal, dies at 86

    Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned as Boston archbishop in 2002 over his handling of abusive priests, died in Rome.

    Policy change Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The New York Times

September 2003

  1. Boston archdiocese agrees to $85 million settlement with 552 abuse claimants

    Under new Archbishop Sean O'Malley, the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to pay $85 million to resolve more than 500 abuse lawsuits, then the largest such settlement.

    Settlement Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by Fox News

December 2002

  1. Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as archbishop of Boston

    Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law after nearly a year of revelations that he had shielded abusive priests in the Boston archdiocese.

    Policy change Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by UPI

January 2002

  1. Former priest John Geoghan found guilty of indecent assault

    A Middlesex County jury convicted defrocked priest John Geoghan of indecently assaulting a boy, the first criminal verdict against him amid more than 130 allegations.

    Conviction Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

  2. Globe: Cardinal Law knew of 1985 report on repeat abusers yet reassigned Geoghan

    A Spotlight follow-up reported that Cardinal Law had access to the 1985 warnings that abusive priests were likely to reoffend but still assigned Rev. John Geoghan to a parish where he continued to abuse children.

    Investigation Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

  3. Spotlight: Church allowed abuse by priest John Geoghan for years

    The Globe's Spotlight team reported that Cardinal Bernard Law and other Boston church leaders repeatedly reassigned John Geoghan despite allegations he had molested more than 130 children, launching the national scandal.

    Investigation Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

March 1993

  1. Man says aide to Cardinal Law let abuse complaints languish

    A man alleged that a top aide to Cardinal Law failed to act on his complaints of clergy abuse, an early sign of problems in Boston's handling of cases.

    Allegation Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

January 1993

  1. Boston archdiocese adopts sexual misconduct rules for clergy

    The Archdiocese of Boston issued formal rules for handling allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy.

    Policy change Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

November 1992

  1. Boston archdiocese promises abuse policy and review board

    The Archdiocese of Boston said it would adopt a formal policy on clergy sexual abuse and create a review board to handle complaints.

    Policy change Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe

May 1992

  1. Cardinal Law criticizes press coverage of Porter abuse case

    Cardinal Bernard Law publicly faulted news media coverage of the Porter allegations, drawing criticism from accusers and advocates.

    Policy change Catholic Church abuse crisis (United States)United States, MassachusettsReported by The Boston Globe