Diocese of Fall River
15 reports indexed, newest first.
February 2005
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Former priest James Porter dies at 70
Porter, whose case helped bring clergy sexual abuse to national attention in 1992 and who pleaded guilty in 1993, died of cancer.
March 2001
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Massachusetts bill would extend time for molestation victims to sue
Legislators proposed changing Massachusetts law so that adults abused as children would have more time to bring claims.
April 1999
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James Porter denied parole
Massachusetts parole officials denied release to Porter, who was serving his sentence for child sexual abuse.
December 1993
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Porter victims' lawyer says 20 other area priests face accusations
An attorney for Porter's victims said about 20 other priests in southeastern Massachusetts had also been accused of abuse.
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James Porter sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison
A Massachusetts judge sentenced Porter to 18 to 20 years in prison for abusing children in the 1960s.
October 1993
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James Porter pleads guilty to assaults committed as a priest
Porter pleaded guilty in Massachusetts to dozens of counts of sexual assault on children committed while he was a priest in the Fall River diocese.
December 1992
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Ex-priest James Porter goes on trial in Minnesota molestation case
Porter went on trial in Minnesota on charges of molesting a child years after leaving the priesthood, while Massachusetts charges remained pending.
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68 Porter accusers reach settlement with Diocese of Fall River
Sixty-eight people who said Porter abused them settled their claims with the Catholic Church in a confidential agreement.
September 1992
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Former priest James Porter arrested in Minnesota on Massachusetts abuse charges
Porter was taken into custody in Minnesota on criminal charges brought in Massachusetts over abuse of children in the 1960s.
August 1992
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Fall River bishop pledges aid to Porter accusers
The Diocese of Fall River announced it would help pay for counseling and support for people who said Porter abused them.
July 1992
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James Porter admits abusing children while a priest and apologizes
Porter publicly acknowledged having abused children during his years as a priest and issued an apology.
June 1992
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New Fall River bishop Sean O'Malley reaches out to Porter's accusers
Newly appointed Fall River Bishop Sean O'Malley pledged to reach out to people abused by clergy as the Porter case widened.
May 1992
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Massachusetts charitable-immunity law caps church liability at $20,000
The Globe reported that a little-known state law limited damages against charitable organizations such as the church to $20,000 per claim, constraining Porter accusers' potential lawsuits.
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Dozens more come forward alleging abuse by Fall River priest James Porter
About 30 additional people alleged they were abused by Porter in the 1960s, sharply expanding the case days after the first accounts became public.
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Nine people allege former priest James Porter abused them, threaten to sue church
Nine adults alleged that James Porter abused them as children while he was a priest in the Diocese of Fall River in the 1960s and said they planned to sue the church.