PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat

By David Hurst
dhurst@tribdem.com

A wide-ranging child protection plan was announced Monday to immediately notify law enforcement officials of sexual abuse allegations within the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, add an independent oversight board to review such complaints within the diocese and expand counseling options for victims of abuse.

The multi-step approach was outlined by Bishop Mark Bartchak and Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song, whose offices spent nearly a year crafting reform to protect diocese children from sexual abuse in the church.

“These unprecedented reforms put victims first, providing them with access needed to support and counseling,” Song said during a press conference in the Western District of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Among a list of moves, a memorandum of understanding between the sides outlines:

• The creation of an independent, multidisciplinary oversight board for youth protection that will include a retired law enforcement officer, former…