PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC
[with video]
By Maria Miller
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. —
It was last Friday that Bishop Mark Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese told prosecutors in Cambria County that he had received allegations involving one of their priests. He said George Koharchik may have abused a number of children possibly as far back as 30 years ago.
Barchak removed Koharchik from his position at St. Catherine of Siena in Mount Union. He is not facing charges because there haven’t been any alleged victims that have come forward. 6 News reporter Maria Miller talked with prosecutors on Tuesday to find out why they’re not actively seeking the alleged victims.
The diocese said the allegations come from a time when Koharchik was in Cambria County, but said it does not plan to release the names of any churches where the abuse may have occurred.
“The alleged abuse happened so long ago that we are trying to be very mindful that this is a tough situation for all involved,” said Tony DeGol, secretary for communications for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. “We certainly don’t want to put that parish community in the spotlight unnecessarily.”
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