PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC
BY LAUREN HENSLEY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 2016
ALTOONA, Pa.– The Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese said two more priests are on leave, each facing allegations of child sex abuse.
This brings the total to three suspended priests in just over a month. Each case involves allegations made decades ago.
Sunday Bishop Mark Bartchak announced Sunday the Rev. David Arseneault seen from Huntingdon’s Holy Trinity and the Rev. James Coveney, who is retired from Saint Mark’s Church in Altoona, have both been placed on leave from the ministry.
They are two priests accused in two separate incidents, but the church said they have one thing in common, the accusations date back about 20 years. Why is the church now choosing to review these accusations?
“I can’t answer that question but obviously Bishop Bartchak feels it is important to review these cases,” said Tony DeGol, secretary for communications.
6News sought to question the bishop directly but we were told he was unavailable.
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