Pa. priest removed after decades-old complaint


August 27, 2012 at 8:42a.m.

Pa. priest removed after decades-old complaint

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania diocese has removed a priest from ministry after receiving a three-decade-old allegation of sexual misconduct involving minors.

The Altoona-Johnstown Diocese says it has placed the 63-year-old priest on leave from his post at the Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Mount Union.

The diocese says it received the complaint on Friday and forwarded information to the Cambria County district attorney’s office.

The priest has been moved from the parish and will have no contact with children.

Bishop Mark Bartchak says he’s praying for the alleged victims.