Bishop of Diocese of Manchester accused in lawsuit of sexually abusing minor

The bishop of the Diocese of Manchester has been named in a civil lawsuit that alleges sexual abuse of a minor in the 1980s in Deer Park, New York.

© File Image Bishop Peter Libasci

According to the accusations made in the lawsuit, Bishop Peter Anthony Libasci sexually abused the alleged victim when the child was around 12 or 13 years old on “numerous occasions” in 1983 and 1984. Libasci allegedly fondled and groped the child’s genitals.

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“At this time, the status of the Bishop remains unchanged,” diocese officials said in a statement to WMUR.

The lawsuit said that during the time of the alleged abuse, Libasci was a priest and pastor at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church and the child attended the Saints Cyril and Methodius School, which operated under the church and the Sisters of Saint Joseph religious organization. In 2021, the school was merged with another school to form the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, which is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges negligence by the school and church because Libasci was put in a position of power at the church, and he used that power to allegedly abuse the child. Lawyers alleged the church and school “knew, or reasonably should have known, or knowingly condoned, or covered up, the inappropriate and unlawful sexual activities” of Libasci.

The alleged victim continues to suffer physical and psychological injuries, including significant emotional distress, problems sleeping and concentrating and feelings of worthlessness, shamefulness and embarrassment, according to the lawsuit.

“Following standard protocol, the matter has been reported to civil authorities,” diocese officials said in a statement to WMUR.

Diocese officials said no further information will be released because “this is an ongoing matter and out of respect for the individuals involved.”

“(The diocese) will provide updates when we are able to do so,” diocese officials said.

Libasci was named as the 10th bishop of Manchester by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.

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