Can You Sue the Diocese of Greensburg for Clergy Abuse?
Sexual abuse by clergy or staff connected to the Diocese of Greensburg may give rise to a civil claim against the institution itself, not just the person responsible. You don’t need a police report, a conviction, or to have ever told anyone; none of that is required to move forward. And none of it was ever your fault, regardless of how many years have gone by.
The Diocese of Greensburg spans four counties in southwestern Pennsylvania: Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland, a tight-knit, heavily Catholic corner of the state built on old mill and mining towns. A civil claim looks closely at what the diocese did, and didn’t do, across those communities.
Holding the Diocese of Greensburg Accountable
Greensburg is one of Pennsylvania’s smaller dioceses: four counties of former mill- and mining-parish communities where the church often stood at the center of tight-knit towns. In communities that close, a decision to protect a priest’s reputation over a child’s safety could echo for a generation. A civil claim looks at whether the diocese negligently supervised, reassigned, or retained an abuser, and whether it concealed complaints instead of reporting them.
Your Window to File May Still Be Open
Deadlines for filing a civil claim in Pennsylvania have changed in recent years, and how much time you have depends on your age when the abuse occurred and other circumstances. If the abuse happened years ago, there is a good chance your window is still open, but it won’t stay open forever. Call Ashley DiLiberto for a clear, no-obligation answer about your specific situation before time quietly takes that choice away.Ready to Talk? Here’s What to Expect
A confidential review with Ashley DiLiberto is a conversation, not an interview. You set the pace:- You share only what you feel ready to share: this is a safe, private space.
- Ashley explains, in plain language, whether the diocese can be held accountable and what your options look like.
- If we move forward, there is no cost to you unless we win.
What a Civil Claim Can Do For You
For many survivors, a case is first and foremost about accountability, forcing the institution to change how it protects people so no one else is harmed the same way. A civil claim can also seek real financial recovery, including counseling and future therapy costs, medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the broader impact the abuse has had on your life. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome; every case is evaluated on its own facts.Your Attorney: Ashley B. DiLiberto
Ashley B. DiLiberto has spent her career representing survivors of institutional abuse; people who were failed not just by one person, but by the organizations that were supposed to protect them. 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 tied to a $2.46 billion settlement, large-scale institutional litigation that closely parallels what happened inside Pennsylvania’s dioceses. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers “Rising Star” every year since 2019, and she is available for free, confidential consultations around the clock. (PA Attorney ID 323701, admitted 2017.)Frequently asked questions
Was the Diocese of Greensburg in the 2018 grand jury report?
Yes. Greensburg was one of the six dioceses examined in Pennsylvania's August 2018 statewide grand jury report. You do not have to be named in it to bring a civil claim.
Which counties does a Diocese of Greensburg case cover?
Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland Counties. Abuse tied to a parish, school, or ministry anywhere in that four-county footprint can implicate the diocese.
Where would a Greensburg diocese case be filed?
Generally in the county Court of Common Pleas where the abuse occurred — for the see city, the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County in Greensburg. Ashley DiLiberto handles venue for you.
Do I need a criminal case or conviction first?
No. A civil claim is separate from the criminal system and can proceed whether or not anyone was charged and whether or not you reported.
Can I sue if the priest has died?
Often, yes — the claim can focus on the institution's own negligence rather than only the individual.
Will my identity be protected?
Your first conversation is confidential and protecting your privacy is a priority. Many clergy-abuse cases carry 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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