Father Robert Gibson
Diocese of Scranton
Ordained: 1958
Leave of Absence: 1995
Faculties revoked: 1998
Died: 2012
Assigned as follows:
- 1958: Camp St. Andrew (Tunkhannock, PA)
- 1958-1965: St. Paul (Scranton, PA)
- 1965-1968: St. Matthew (Stroudsburg, PA)
- 1968-1974: St. Luke (Stroudsburg, PA)
- 1974-1982: Our Lady Queen of Peace (Broadheadsville, PA)
- 1982-1983: St. John Bosco (Conygnham, PA)
- 1983-1995: St. Bernadette (Canadensis, PA)
- 1995: Leave of Absence
- 1995-1997: In residence, St. Ignatius (Kingston, PA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Robert Gibson:
Fr. Robert Gibson was ordained a priest in 1958, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. According to media reports, in 1995, an attorney representing a man who said he was sexually abused by Fr. Gibson in 1975 as a 14-year-old boy, contacted the Diocese. When confronted, Gibson admitted to the allegation and was sent to a notorious pedophile treatment center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, for evaluation. In August 1995, he left his evaluation with a recommendation that he reside in a parish under close supervision and continue therapy.
In 1997, the Diocese of Scranton received a new complaint that her son was being “groomed” by Gibson. He was sent to St. John Vianney in Downingtown again for a second evaluation.
In September 1997, it was decided by the Bishop of Scranton that Gibson could never again work as a priest. He was eventually sent to live at the Villa St. John Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, Missouri, home to pedophile priests who could not be returned to ministry. His faculties were revoked and he was directed not to wear clerical garb outside of the facility.
In 1998, the Diocese of Scranton received a report that Gibson was sexually abusing a child who was also a family member of his.
In 2002, the Diocese of Scranton received a report from an adult male that Gibson abused him as a child and also provided him with pornographic material.
In 2005, another man reported that he was abused by Gibson as a child.
In 2007, yet another man reported his abuse as a child from 1973-1974. Gibson was questioned about these allegations but was of little help in the investigation as he had already been diagnosed with dementia.
Fr. Gibson died in 2012.
In 2018, he was named as accused in the PA Grand Jury Report.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Scranton. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Scranton may have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.