Father Bernard Casper
Diocese of Rochester
Ordained: 1955
Leave of absence: 1963
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Bernard Casper:
Father Bernard Casper was ordained by Diocese of Pueblo in Colorado, however, in 1963, Casper took a leave of absence for unknown reasons. He began working in New York at the Diocese of Rochester in the 1970s.
In 2003, it was discovered that Casper should not have been practicing as a priest for three decades since he was never formally assigned to the Diocese of Rochester. Clearly, the Diocese of Rochester was not monitoring its parishes and priests.
Likely not by coincidence, at the same time, twin brothers accused Casper of molesting them for years, starting when they were altar boys in Albany back in the 70s.
The victims met Casper in the early 1970s at St. Patrick's Church, when they were two of 13 children who escaped with their mother from an abusive relationship. The victims' mother had turned to the church for help and befriended Casper. They would sometimes spend weekends at Casper's farmhouse in Bethlehem, an Albany suburb, which is when the abuse began.
When the victims' mother couldn't handle caring for the 13 children, the twins went with Casper to live in the Unity House in Auburn for a couple of years in 1973, where the abuse continued.
When the two went to the Diocese of Rochester in 2002, both the Albany and Rochester dioceses contended that Casper never had their authority to act as priest in New York state and refused to admit liability for his actions.
Casper's last known location was in Buffalo, New York.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester in New York filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019. Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss a potential lawsuit and your other options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the Rochester Diocese.
Very strict filing deadlines have now been set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com.