Bro. Fidelis (Francis) DeBerardinis, O.F.M.

Summary of Case: DeBerardinis was convicted in 2003 of sexually abusing eight altar boys during his time at an East Boston parish, 1968-1973. The Franciscan order moved DeBerardinis around the globe from 1973 on. He is accused of molesting a minor at some point in Ireland. One victim recieved a settlement from the order in 1992. DeBerardinis was sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by 10 years probation, and was ordered to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Sources: Official Catholic Directory (New York: Kenedy & Sons, 1969-1970).

• Crisis in the Church / Abuse Arrest, By John Ellement, Boston Globe, August 15, 2002
• Catholic Brother Arrested in Lowell; Charges Include Rape of Hub Altar Boys, By Robin Washington, Boston Herald, August 15, 2002
• Franciscan Brother Is Charged with Molesting 4 Boston Boys, New York Times, August 15, 2002
• Charges Set Aside against 2 Clerics, By Kathleen Burge, Boston Globe, February 5, 2003
• Charges Dropped, New Ones Added in Cleric Abuse Cases, By Tom Mashberg and David Weber, Boston Herald, February 5, 2003
• Franciscan Brother Charged with Child Abuse, a Day after Dropped Charges, Associated Press State & Local Wire. February 6, 2003
• Deberardinis, Franciscan Brother Charged with Sex Assaults on Eight Children, Pleads Guilty, Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, May 26, 2004
• Friar Guilty of Molesting Altar Boys 30 Years Ago, By Robin Washington, Boston Herald
May 27, 2004
• Archdiocese Admits Tie to 3 in Irish Scandal, By Milton J. Valencia, Boston Globe, January 28, 2010

Priests in a Parish: We use the following convention to show a priest's place among the clergy of a parish: 1/2 means that he is the first priest listed in the Official Catholic Directory (usually the pastor) and that there is a total of two priests at the parish. The shorthand 3/4 means that the priest is listed third on a four-priest roster. See our sample page from the Directory.

Note: The Official Catholic Directory aims to report the whereabouts of Catholic priests in the United States on January 1 of the Directory's publication year. Our working assumption is that a priest listed in the Directory for a given year was at the same assignment for part of the previous year as well. However, Kenedy & Sons will sometimes accept updates well into the year of publication. Diocesan clergy records are rarely available to correct this information. The Directory is also sometimes misleading or wrong. We have tried to create an accurate assignment record, given the source materials and their limitations. Assignment records are a work in progress and we are always improving the records that we post. Please email us with new information and corrections.

This assignment record collates DeBerardinis' career history as it is represented in the Official Catholic Directory with allegations as reported in the media. We make no representation regarding the truth of the allegation we report, and we remind our readers that the U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.

This assignment record was last updated on June 15, 2011