Libasci obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy degree from St. John's University in Queens and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. After his ordination, Libasci received a Master of Theology-Catechetical Ministry degree from St. John's.[3]
Libasci was named titular bishop of Satafis and auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre on April 3, 2007, by Pope Benedict XVI. Libasci received his episcopal consecration on June 1, 2007, from Bishop William Murphy, with Auxiliary Bishops Emil Wcela, Paul Walsh and John Dunne serving as co-consecrators.[4]
As auxiliary bishop, Libasci served as 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 of Manchester
On September 19, 2011, Benedict XVI named Libasci as the tenth bishop of Manchester.[5] He was installed on December 8, 2011.
On July 22, 2021, Libasci was named in a lawsuit accusing him of child molestation. The crimes allegedly occurred between 1983 and 1984 when he was serving as parochial vicar at Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish School in New York.[9] The accuser was Charles O’Connor, then 12 or 13 years old. O'Connor said that Libasci fondled his genitals on "numerous occasions", including one instance when the boy was setting up the altar for mass.[10] The lawsuit also named the Sisters of St. Joseph, the religious order running the school at the time, of neglecting to prevent the abuse.[11] Libasci denied the accusations.[12]
On August 29, 2021, the Archdiocese of Boston announced a formal investigation into the accusations against Libasci.[13] However, the archdiocese decided to delay the investigation until the O'Connor lawsuit was settled. O'Connor died in July 2024, leaving the lawsuit in temporary limbo.[14]
