Msgr. Gerald Burns

Diocese of Scranton

Ordained: 1950

Died: 1999

Assined as follows:

1950: St. Ann (Shohola, PA)
1950: St. Patrick (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
1950-1952: St. John (Honesdale, PA)
1952-1953: St. Peter (Wellsboro, PA)
1953-1962: St. John the Evangelist (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
1962-1968: St. Dominic (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
1968-1970: Mercy Heights Hospital (Scranton, PA)
1970-1982: Blessed Sacraments (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
1982-1984: St. Gabriel (Hazelton, PA)
1984-1994: St. John the Evangelist (Pittston, PA)
1994: Retired/Named Pastor Emeritus of St. John the Evangelist

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Msgr. Gerald Burns:

According to media reports, in 1994, Bishop James Timlin received a letter from a woman whose husband was sexually abused by Msgr. Gerald Burns during the time he was an altar boy at St. John’s in the early 1950s. Burns denied the allegation, but accepted the Bishop’s recommendation that he retire from ministry in the Diocese of Scranton.

In June 1996, Timlin wrote a note wherein he indicated that he had spoken with the victim and his wife, informing them that Burns had agreed to continue to pay for counseling for the victim, without any admission of guilt. An arrangement was made whereby the bills would be sent to the Chancery, who, in turn, would bill Burns. The victim and his wife agreed to this arrangement. Burns died in 1999. Nothing could be located in the files to indicate that any further assistance was provided to the victim after this event occurred.

In 2018, Burns was first named publicly as accused in 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.

Msgr. Gerald Burns – Diocese of Scranton