Lawsuit alleges abuse by priest

A Bellingham man has filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle for allegedly allowing a Roman Catholic priest assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett to sexually abuse him over 11 years starting in 1956.

The man, now 63, was identified only as M.P. in the lawsuit filed Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The lawsuit alleges that the archdiocese knew or should have known that the Rev. Edward Boyle was a pedophile, and it failed to supervise the priest.

The archdiocese Tuesday had no comment on the lawsuit.

Spokesman Greg Magnoni said he was unaware of this particular allegation until now. “I do know there have been allegations against (Boyle) in the past,” he added

Boyle died in 1987, Magnoni said.

Although the alleged events happened nearly half a century ago, Seattle lawyer Mary Fleck said “it’s going to be easy to prove, because my client has very vivid memories of everything that happened to him.”

Sometimes, it takes people many years to have the courage to come forward in cases like this, Fleck said.

She said M.P. has suffered serious psychological effects as a result of his contact with Boyle, and he’s only recently began to realize the origin of his problems.

According to the lawsuit, M.P. was born in Everett and first met Boyle in the mid-1950s when the priest was assigned to Immaculate Conception. At the time, M.P. was an altar boy who attended the parish school.

In about 1956, when the boy was 14, Boyle “sexually molested M.P. on repeated occasions in the rectory, during a trip to Seaside, Ore., and at the home of Boyle’s parents,” the lawsuit charges.

The abuses continued periodically over 11 years, it contends.

It alleges that Boyle groomed the youth by gaining his trust, friendship and admiration.

The “plaintiff was conditioned to comply with Father Boyle’s direction and to view and respect him as a person of authority in spiritual, moral and ethical matters,” the lawsuit says.

The complaint alleges that the archdiocese failed to “adopt policies and procedures to identify potential and actual sexual offenders, prevent their access to child and/or remove them from the priesthood and assist sex abuse victims.”

It also charges that the archdiocese didn’t properly investigate Boyle’s background to determine if he was suitable to be placed in a position of trust among children and families.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Fleck said she believes this is the first lawsuit filed in connection with Boyle’s alleged abuse. Boyle was for a time assigned in Arlington as well as Everett, she said.

“We are hopeful other people will come forward, because we believe there are other victims who also may be suffering injuries as a result” of Boyle, Fleck said.

Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Marysville police searching for missing 10-year-old boy

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before left to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.