Peter Anthony Libasci

Peter A. Libasci was born on 9 November 1951, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. He attended St. Margaret School, Middle Village, New York, followed by Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Elmhurst

Libasci obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Queens, and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. After his ordination, he received a master's degree in Theology-Catechetical Ministry at St. John's .[2] Libasci is of Italian (Sicilian) heritage on his paternal side and of Slovak heritage on his maternal side.[3]

On 1 April 1978, Libasci was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He served as parochial vicar at Saint Raymond's Parish, East Rockaway, New York (1978–1982), and at Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish, Deer Park, New York (1982–1988); parish administrator at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Inwood, New York, (1988–1989), and then pastor of the same parish (1989–2000). From 2000 to 2007 Libasci was pastor at Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish, Montauk, New York

On 10 December 2004, he was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, by Pope John Paul II with the title of monsignor.

Libasci was named titular bishop of Satafis, and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, on 3 April 2007. He received his episcopal consecration on 1 June 2007 from William Murphy, bishop of Rockville Centre, with auxiliary bishops Emil Aloysius Wcela, Paul Henry Walsh and John Charles Dunne serving as co-consecrators.[4]

As auxiliary bishop, Libasci was episcopal vicar for the Vicariate East (Suffolk County), of the Diocese. He also celebrated the liturgy for the Ruthenian Catholic community, which celebrates liturgy in the Byzantine rite.[1]

Bishop Libasci was named as the tenth bishop of Manchester on 19 September 2011,[5] and was installed on December 8.

On July 22, 2021, Libasci was sued and accused of molesting a child between 1983 and 1984 when Libasci was a priest at Saints Cyril and Methodius School in Deer Park, New York.[6] The accuser, then 12 or 13 years old, said that Libasci fondled his genitals on "numerous occasions", including one instance when the boy was setting up the altar for Mass. [7]

The lawsuit also named the Sisters of St. Joseph, the religious order running the school at the time, of neglecting to prevent the abuse.[8]Libasci denied the accusations.[9] On August 29, 2021, the Archdiocese of Boston announced a formal investigation into the accusations.[10]