Vermont Clergy Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Vermont has a long documented history of clergy sexual abuse. In particular, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington has agreed to settle numerous claims alleging child sexual abuse by priests. If a Vermont clergy member has abused you or a loved one as a minor, you have legal rights and options for seeking accountability and compensation.
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Overview of Vermont Clergy Sexual Abuse Allegations
In 2019, an independent review board in Vermont named 40 priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington who had been accused of sexual abuse. Documents showed that the Diocese knew about the allegations that priests were sexually abusing children, but did nothing to alert the public or police.
The report led to the passage of new legislation eliminating the statute of limitations on child abuse lawsuits in the state, giving survivors unlimited time to take legal action.
Vermont Clergy Abuse Settlements
There have been multiple settlements of civil claims alleging abuse by Vermont clergy. In particular, the Diocese of Burlington entered into the following settlement agreements:
Confidential settlement, 2022: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington settled a lawsuit involving Father Roger W. Carlin, who was accused of sexually abusing a nine-year-old altar boy in 1966 and 1967. The diocese said this was the first allegation it received about Carlin, who died in 1980.
Confidential settlement, 2018: A man alleged he was sexually abused as a child by Alfred Willis, a former priest for the Diocese of Burlington from 1975 to 1985. The victim was an altar boy at Milton’s St. Ann parish, and the church settled the lawsuit just before trial. Willis was transferred to Milton after the church received reports of abuse at two other parishes. He had faced sexual misconduct charges as early as seminary, but was transferred repeatedly.
$30 million in settlements, 2013: The diocese paid more than $30 million in settlements to end an 11-year string of 40 abuse cases in 2013.
$150,000 settlement, 2004: The diocese paid $150,000 to resolve abuse claims by another victim of Alfred Willis in 2004.
The Diocese’s Bankruptcy
The Diocese of Burlington filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the fall of 2024, seeking to reorganize its finances after paying more than $34.5 million to settle 67 clergy misconduct lawsuits over the last 20 years. At least another 119 claims—dating back as far as 1950—are still pending against the diocese.
In August 2026, a federal bankruptcy judge issued an order allowing clergy abuse victims to seek compensation from parish assets in Vermont. Victims can now file proceedings to determine whether they can seek payment of their claims from an estimated $500 million in local trust-sheltered properties and possessions of the nearly 70 parishes in the diocese.
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How a Clergy Sex Abuse Attorney Can Help
Survivors of clergy sex abuse in Vermont have legal rights and options for seeking accountability. Even if the abuse occurred too long ago, you may still have a viable case and options for recovering compensation. A clergy sex abuse attorney can evaluate your claim and support you throughout the legal process if you choose to move forward.
Meet The Milberg Team
Marc Grossman
Senior Partner, Milberg PLLC
30+ years of complex litigation experience. Marc is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as one of America’s leading litigators. He’s committed to institutional accountability and survivor support.
Melinda Maxson
Senior Counsel, Milberg PLLC
20+ years representing survivors. Melinda has been involved in landmark cases exposing systemic failures in institutions, including her work on the T.T. v. Roblox case. She believes survivors deserve every legal avenue to seek accountability.
Legal Rights & Options for Survivors Impacted by Sexual Abuse
Vermont eliminated the statute of limitations for civil child abuse lawsuits in 2019, prompting a flood of lawsuits alleging clergy abuse as far back as the 1950s. It was the first state to remove time limits for child sex crime lawsuits.
Now, survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Vermont can file a civil lawsuit at any point in their lives, regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.
Report to Oversight Agencies
Though reporting clergy abuse is not required for filing a civil lawsuit, it can generate a valuable paper trail and ensure the abuse is properly investigated.
You can report abuse to the Diocese of Burlington using the following phone numbers:
- Victim Assistance Coordinator Sheila Conroy: 802-855-3016
- Manager of Safe Environment Programs John Pfeifer: 802-658-6110 ext. 1219
- Anonymous reports: 866-485-2488
Additionally, all clergy members in Vermont are mandated reporters of child abuse.
Report to Law Enforcement
Survivors may also choose to report clergy abuse in Vermont to local law enforcement, which could trigger a criminal investigation if the perpetrator is still alive. Contact your local police department to report or call the Vermont Department for Children and Families at 1-800-649-5285. This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can report anonymously.
File A Civil Lawsuit
Civil lawsuits allow survivors of abuse to seek financial compensation for the harm and losses resulting from the abuse. With the elimination of the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits in Vermont, even if the abuse happened long ago, survivors still may be entitled to pursue a case.
At Helping Survivors, we connect survivors of abuse with our legal partners, who can explain their legal rights and options and pursue justice on their behalf. Get legal help today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deadline to File a Clergy Abuse Claim in Vermont?
Vermont eliminated the deadline for filing civil clergy sex abuse lawsuits in 2019, so survivors can file at any time, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Most clergy abuse lawsuits in Vermont aim to hold the Diocese of Burlington accountable for failing to protect children from predatory clergy members. While some lawsuits have named local parishes as defendants, several have filed a federal lawsuit arguing that they cannot be held liable for clergy abuse because they do not have the authority to appoint, supervise, transfer, or discipline priests. An experienced clergy abuse attorney can help you determine all the potentially liable parties in your case.
How Much Compensation Can a Survivor of Clergy Abuse Receive?
There is no guarantee of any compensation in a Vermont clergy abuse lawsuit, and there is no set value of a claim. Instead, the amount recoverable depends on the survivor’s unique circumstances. However, survivors can seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, lost wages, reduced earning potential, therapy costs, medical bills, and other damages.
Can I Remain Anonymous if I File a Lawsuit Against the Church?
Courts generally allow victims to file sexual abuse lawsuits under a pseudonym, such as John or Jane Doe, to preserve their anonymity. Your attorney must request to file under a pseudonym. However, certain parties involved in the lawsuit will learn your identity during the proceedings, including the defendants, attorneys, judge, witnesses, and court personnel.
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