Can You Sue the Diocese of Allentown for Clergy Abuse?
If a priest, deacon, teacher, or anyone connected to the Diocese of Allentown sexually abused you, Pennsylvania law may allow you to pursue a civil claim against the institution, not just the person who harmed you. Criminal and civil cases are separate: no police report or conviction is required to move forward. What happened was never your fault, regardless of how much time has passed or whether you ever spoke of it. The Diocese of Allentown touches daily life throughout the Lehigh Valley, the anthracite communities of Schuylkill County, and the surrounding region. A civil claim examines the decisions the diocese made across that entire footprint, decisions that may have kept an abuser in reach of children.The Diocese of Allentown and Pennsylvania’s Grand Jury Investigation
Many survivors in this region already know about Pennsylvania’s landmark grand jury investigation into how the Diocese of Allentown, among others, handled decades of clergy sexual abuse. It documented a pattern of quiet reassignments and complaints kept from law enforcement. For some local survivors, it was the first confirmation that what they experienced was not an isolated incident. Your claim does not depend on being named in that investigation; many people who were harmed never appeared in any official record at all.Holding the Diocese of Allentown Accountable: Not Just the Individual
Families across the Lehigh Valley and Schuylkill County placed deep, genuine trust in the diocese; in its parishes, its schools, its youth programs. When that trust was exploited, and the institution chose to protect itself rather than the children in its care, the harm went far beyond one person. A civil claim tests whether the Diocese of Allentown bears responsibility for how it supervised, retained, or reassigned those who caused harm.How Long Do You Have to File in Allentown?
Deadlines for civil claims in Pennsylvania have changed in recent years, so it’s worth finding out where you stand; your situation may be different from what you think. If the abuse happened years ago, there is a real chance you can still file, but that window will not stay open indefinitely. Call Ashley DiLiberto for a clear, no-obligation answer about your deadline before time takes that choice away from you.Getting Started: A Safe, Private First Step
Reaching out to Ashley DiLiberto is easier than most people expect, and it happens entirely on your terms.
- Share only what feels right to share. Ashley listens; she doesn’t push.
- In plain language, she’ll walk you through whether the diocese and those responsible can be held accountable, and what paths are available to you.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover in a Clergy Abuse Case?
A civil claim can mean real financial recovery for what you have been through. That can include counseling and future therapy costs, medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the broader impact the abuse has had on your relationships and your life. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome; every case is evaluated on its own facts.More About Your Attorney
Ashley B. DiLiberto represents survivors of institutional abuse across Pennsylvania. These are people who were failed not just by one individual, but by the organizations that were supposed to keep them safe. As a Partner at Messa & Associates, P.C., in Philadelphia, she leads the firm’s national Mass Tort Litigation Team and has represented survivors in the Boy Scouts of America cases connected to a $2.46 billion settlement. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year since 2019. (PA Attorney ID 323701, admitted 2017.) Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.Frequently asked questions
Was the Diocese of Allentown in the 2018 grand jury report?
Yes. Allentown was one of the six dioceses examined in Pennsylvania's August 2018 statewide grand jury report, which detailed how allegations were handled over decades. It is a matter of public record — but you do not need to be named in it to bring a civil claim.
Which counties does a Diocese of Allentown case cover?
The diocese spans Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill Counties. Abuse tied to a parish, school, or ministry anywhere in that footprint can implicate the institution.
Where would an Allentown diocese case be filed?
Depending on where the abuse occurred, a claim is generally brought in the county Court of Common Pleas — for the see city, the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County in Allentown. Ashley DiLiberto handles the venue analysis for you.
Can I sue the Diocese of Allentown even if the priest has died?
Often, yes. A claim can focus on the institution's own negligence — supervision, reassignment, concealment — rather than only the individual, so it may proceed even if the abuser has died.
Do I need a criminal case or conviction first?
No. A civil claim is independent of the criminal system. You can pursue it whether or not anyone was ever charged, and whether or not you reported the abuse.
Will my identity be protected?
Your first conversation is confidential, and protecting your privacy is a priority throughout. Many clergy-abuse cases are handled with strong confidentiality protections.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer?
No. The consultation is free and confidential, and cases are handled on contingency — no fee unless we win.
Serving sexual abuse survivors across Pennsylvania
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