P. Lawrence Homer

Ordained:
Diocese: Diocese of Scranton

From Report I of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

On January 15, 1967, Father Post was advised that Father P. Lawrence Homer had a 14- year-old female in his locked office for the duration of an entire class period.  It was reported that he engaged in a sexual conversation with her wherein he asked her about her “sex hair” and the development of her breasts and nipples.  He told her that while she was only 14 years old, she had the body of an 18-year-old.

Post was also made aware of a second victim that Homer brought into his office.  This victim was also approximately 14 years old.  It was reported that she was in his locked office for more than one hour.  During that time period, he asked her sexual questions about herself and told her that one day he would have her come to his office and he would undress her. He also took her into the examination room next to the health office where he unbuttoned the front of her blouse, french-kissed her and stated that she “would be nice to marry even though it meant leaving the Priesthood.”  Homer was subsequently transferred to another parish.

On January 24, 1988, a female notified the Diocese that she was sexually molested by Homer in 1964 when she was 14 years old.  She advised that Homer had fondled her breasts under her blouse.

The Diocese received multiple complaints from adult female victims over the years who alleged that they were sexually involved with Homer during a fragile time in their lives. One incident involved a nun whom Homer touched, hugged and kissed.

Homer was sent for evaluation and treatment on two separate occasions.  Information contained within the Diocesan files was very vague, however. None of the incidents were reported to law enforcement.

He was removed from ministry in July 2002.

Additional information regarding the widespread sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Dioceses of Pennsylvania and the systemic cover up by senior church officials is compiled in the Pennsylvania Diocese Victim’s Report published by the Pennsylvania Attorney General following a two-year grand jury investigation.  A complete copy of the Report is available on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website.