Can You Sue the Diocese of Scranton for Clergy Abuse?
If you or a loved one were sexually abused by a priest, pastor, deacon, teacher, or other person connected to the Diocese of Scranton, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the institution itself. This is separate from any criminal case: you do not need a police report, a criminal conviction, or a prior disclosure to move forward. What happened was never your fault, no matter how long ago it occurred or whether you ever told anyone. The Diocese of Scranton covers eleven counties of northeastern Pennsylvania, from the Poconos across the anthracite coal region, communities where the parish and the Catholic school were often the heart of daily life. A civil claim examines the diocese’s own decisions and conduct across that entire territory.The Diocese’s Responsibility Goes Beyond One Priest
A civil claim asks whether the Diocese of Scranton negligently supervised or retained the person who harmed you, reassigned him to other parishes rather than removing him, concealed complaints from families and civil authorities, or otherwise failed to act on what it knew. Because the parish and its school were so central to community life across this region, an abusive priest could cause harm across years and multiple communities. That reach reflects institutional failure, and that failure belongs to the diocese.How Long Do You Have to File a Clergy Abuse Claim in Scranton?
Pennsylvania’s deadlines for filing a civil claim have changed in recent years, and how much time you have depends on your age when the abuse occurred and other circumstances. Every survivor’s situation is different, which is why the only way to know your deadline for certain is to ask. If the abuse happened years ago, there is a good chance the window to file is still open, but it will not stay open forever. Call Ashley DiLiberto for a clear, no-obligation answer about your specific deadline.How to Start: Confidential, Simple, and Free
When you are ready, here is what a confidential review with Ashley DiLiberto looks like:- You share only what you are comfortable sharing. No interrogation, no judgment.
- Ashley explains in plain language whether the diocese and those involved can be held accountable, and what your options are.
- If we move forward, there is no cost to you unless we win.
Compensation in a Clergy Abuse Case
A civil claim can seek real financial recovery for what you have been through, including counseling and future therapy costs, medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the broader impact the abuse has had on your life. Pursuing a case can also be a way to hold the institution accountable and push for the kind of change that protects others. Every case is evaluated on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.About Ashley DiLiberto
Ashley B. DiLiberto focuses her practice on representing survivors of institutional abuse, people who were failed not just by one person, 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. She has represented survivors in the Boy Scouts of America cases connected to a $2.46 billion settlement. Ashley 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 Scranton in the 2018 grand jury report?
Yes. Scranton was one of the six dioceses examined in the August 2018 statewide grand jury report, which identified 59 priests connected to the diocese. You do not need to be named in it to bring a civil claim.
Which counties does a Diocese of Scranton case cover?
The diocese spans eleven counties across northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Poconos and the anthracite region. Abuse tied to a parish, school, or ministry anywhere in that footprint can implicate the institution.
Where would a Scranton 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 Lackawanna County in Scranton. Ashley DiLiberto handles the venue analysis.
Do I need a criminal case or conviction first?
No. A civil claim is independent of the criminal system and can proceed whether or not anyone was charged and whether or not you reported.
Can I still sue if the priest has died?
Often, yes — a claim can focus on the institution's own negligence rather than only the individual, so it may proceed even after the abuser's death.
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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