Camden Diocese Covered Up Late Priest's Sex Assault, Suit Claims

The Diocese of Camden has been named among the defendants in a lawsuit alleging child sexual assault against a priest who has since died.

A lawsuit filed in Ocean County names the late Richard Gerbino, the Diocese of Camden, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bishop Celestine Domiano and various John Does in an alleged cover-up of an alleged sexual assault by Gerbino.

The victim, a Bayville man identified by the initials A.S. in the lawsuit, claims he was sexually assaulted by Gerbino in the summer of 1962, when A.S. was 16, and that officials with the Diocese knew of the assault and did nothing.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Camden wasn’t immediately available Thursday afternoon.
He and his friend established a friendship with a priest identified as John P. Connor, a.k.a. Father Jack, when they were children attending Sacred Heart Elementary School in Haverford, Pa., according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by Patch.

When Father Jack was reassigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Vineland, the two boys took an overnight trip to the Cumberland County town to visit him. They stayed with Father Jack in his parish-provided housing, according to the lawsuit. Gerbino, Father Jack’s superior, also lived in the house.

As for the sleeping arrangements, Father Jack slept on the couch while A.S.’s friend slept in his room. Gerbino suggested A.S. sleep in his room, according to the lawsuit.

They slept in the same bed, where Gerbino attempted to sexually assault A.S., according to the lawsuit. Gerbino touched the victim’s penis, and made the victim touch his penis, the lawsuit alleges. When Gerbino attempted to pull down his underwear, the child ran from the room. The commotion woke up Father Jack, who came to check on the child.

After realizing what happened, Father Jack immediately took the boys to see Domiano, who was the bishop at the time. After both Father Jack and the victim explained the situation to the bishop, Domiano told them to “never speak of this again,” according to the lawsuit.

After the incident, the two boys never saw either of the priests again. In 2018, the Diocese of Camden reached a $20,000 settlement with a Cape May County woman over sexual abuse allegations, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

After seeing that article, A.S. realized the long-term suffering he had sustained as a result of his experience, according to the lawsuit.

Because it wasn’t until then that A.S. realized the full extent of what happened, his attorney argues that his case shouldn’t be barred by the statute of limitations due to the “discovery rule.”
The discovery rule states that “in an appropriate case, a cause of action will be held not to accrue until the injured party discovers” that he may have a basis for an actual claim. The victim seeks damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

Gerbino was the first pastor assigned to St. Francis of Assisi, now known as the Divine Mercy Parish, in 1961. According to information provided by the Diocese of Camden last month, Gerbino also served in the following capacities:

• O.L. of Mt. Carmel, Camden
• St. Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights
• O.L. Star of the Sea, Cape May
• Corpus Christi, Carneys Point
• Assumption, Atco
• St. Patrick, Woodbury
• Chaplain Newman Club Rutgers, Camden
• Chaplain Air National Guard Headquarters, Camden

His name was released among a list of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse. He is deceased. Read more here: Here’s A List Of NJ Priests Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse