PENNSYLVANIA
Altoona Mirror

Editorial

The reforms announced Monday by the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese in regard to addressing allegations of child sex abuse are an encouraging step that all should welcome.

Still, there are unanswered questions that many parishioners of this diocese likely are harboring in the aftermath of the news conference at which the positive moves were announced by Bishop Mark Bartchak and acting Western District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song.

To briefly recap:

– A five-member Independent Oversight Board for Youth Protection, whose mission will be to advise diocesan officials on child abuse prevention and enforcement, will be established.

– All members of the current review board, which is charged with advising the bishop on abuse cases, will be replaced.