Tuesday, May 18, UPDATED: 5:20 p.m.
By Megan Dardanell
Priest Faces Sex Charge
Fr. Al Liberatore
Another Catholic priest in our area is facing charges. Investigators said Tuesday the victim is a 17 year old who claims he was sexually molested at a local university. The suspect is a well-known priest who has served in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties and taught at the University of Scranton. Now Father Al Liberatore is accused of indecent assault and corruption of a teenage boy.
The Diocese of Scranton has removed Father Liberatore from ministry, including his position at the University of Scranton. A spokes person for the diocese said he won't be able to serve in a Catholic church at least until the case is resolved. Meanwhile, authorities said the priest will likely face more charges.
Court papers said it happened on the University of Scranton campus at Saint Thomas Hall two years ago wen the young man was 17. Students are shocked. Joe Hartmann said he's disappointed. "(It's) something you try not to think about, but when it's thrown in your face, there's really not much (you) can do but deal with it. (You) hope for the best and hope it's a misunderstanding," said senior Hartman.
Nick Cromie took a class taught by Father Liberatore and can't believe the charges. "Very shocked. Never came on to anyone, anything like that. (He) had meetings with students, never did anything toward me or any of my friends," said sophomore Cromie.
Right now Father Liberatore is only charged with assault in Lackawanna County. But he was pastor at Sacred Heart, Saint Joseph Parish in Duryea for several years. The Luzerne County district attorney is investigating because authorities said that is where the teenager first met Father Liberatore in youth group.
"(The) matter being treated very seriously. Initial charges were filed in Lackawanna County but this is an ongoing investigation. Investigators were out this morning and today, doing leg work and doing more interviews," said Luzerne County District Attorney Dave Lupas.
Father Liberatore is free on bail.
Update on Liberatore:
Thursday, July 15, UPDATED: 4:45 p.m.
By Scott Schaffer
Priest Faces New Charges
There are new, serious allegations against a Roman Catholic priest already in trouble with the law. The new charges took him across state lines Thursday.
Father Al Liberatore was a parish priest in Luzerne County and a teacher at the University of Scranton. Now he's an alleged child molester and authorities said his crimes were committed in two counties and two states.
Fr. Liberatore left the Luzerne County courthouse in handcuffs Thursday, headed to New York City. "The defendant has waived extradition and he will be transported to New York where he will face further proceedings," said Luzerne County District Attorney Dave Lupas.
Liberatore, already charged with corruption of minors in Lackawanna County, now faces similar counts in Luzerne County, as well as New York. Authorities said their investigation turned up a years-long relationship with a boy who the priest mentored in the youth group at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Duryea. Court papers said the relationship began when the boy was 13, and continued through his high school years.
Investigators said Liberatore took the boy to fancy restaurants in and around Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, supplied him with alcohol and had him sleep over at the rectory; sleep-overs which authorities said became sexual.
Court papers also said the priest took the boy to gay bars and sleep-overs in Manhattan. "The allegations stemming from an on-going investigation in New York are of a more serious nature than the types of allegations we have here," said Lupas.
Father Liberatore is relieved of his ministry by the Diocese of Scranton. He's free on bail in Pennsylvania, but at last word, he was considered in the custody of authorities in New York.