Msgr. Joseph Gilgallon- Diocese of Scranton

Monsignor Joseph Gilgallon

Diocese of Scranton

Ordained: 1959

Elevated to Monsignor: 1973

Died: 1991

Assigned as follows:

1959-1966: St. Basil (Dushore, PA)
1966: St. Francis (Eagles Mere, PA)
1966-1972: St. Ignatius (Kingston, PA)
1972-1985: St. Peter (Scranton, PA)
1985-1987: St. Therese (Shavertown, PA)
1987-1991: St. Francis (West Hazleton, PA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Msgr. Joseph Gilgallon:

Msgr. Joseph Gilgallon was ordained a priest in 1959, who served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Scranton. According to media reports, in 2006, the Diocese received a report from a 40-year-old man that he was sexually abused as a child by Msgr. Gilgallon in late 1986. According to the 2018 PA Grand Jury Report, as part of the investigation, “the Diocese spoke with other priests in service during that time period and confirmed that the abuse took place in the rectory.”

While it is not clear from the context, the phrasing of the grand jury suggests that other priests who lived in the rectory at St. Therese in Shavertown were already aware of the abuse and simply failed to act upon it until asked about it 20 years later.

The allegation was deemed credible by the Diocese of Scranton’s internal review board.

Msgr. Joseph Gilgallon died in 1991. He was a priest in active ministry at the time.

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.