Mr. Joseph Casciano – Diocese of Scranton

| Jan 23, 2019 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Mr. Joseph Casciano

Diocese of Scranton

Placed on Leave: 2009

Terminated: 2010

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Joseph Casciano:

According to media reports, Mr. Casciano started his career with the Diocese of Scranton in 1977 as a junior high teacher at St. Patrick’s School, now called All Saints Academy in Scranton. He later became principal of LaSalle Academy in the early 1990s, and then principal at Bishop O’Hara High School from 1995 to 1998, until he was named director of the office of parish ministries for the Diocese of Scranton.  In 2005, he was given the additional role of Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Scranton.

Casciano was quietly placed on a leave of absence from his positions at the Diocese Chancery in December 2009.  When later asked about the reasons for the leave, the Diocese of Scranton offered no additional information.

In January 2010, the District Attorney for Lackawanna County confirmed that it was investigating an allegation that Casciano sexually abused a minor child.  Law enforcement offered few details except to say that the incident was alleged to have occurred “years ago” and that the statute of limitations for prosecution had expired.

According to media reports, in April 2010, the Diocese of Scranton announced that Casciano had been fired and confirmed that it related to an allegation that he had inappropriate sexual contact with a minor during his career. Criminal charges were never filed.

Casciano’s name now appears on the Diocese of Scranton’s list of credibly accused individuals.  According to its internal standards, a “credible accusation” has been “corroborated by secular legal proceedings, canon law proceedings, self-admission by the individual, and/or other evidence.”  It is not known which of these apply in the Casciano matter, or if there have been any additional allegations made against him since December 2009. Notably, the Diocese of Scranton describes Casciano as “a lay teacher and athletic coach within the Diocese of Scranton,” not as the Superintendent of Schools for nearly a decade.

Casciano is believed to be residing in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, area. His current occupation is unknown.

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