N.Y. archdiocese to report all child abuse allegations

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Revising its policy on sexual misconduct by priests, the Archdiocese of New York announced Wednesday it will report to prosecutors all allegations of abuse involving children.

MORE STORIES   •  Cardinal denies settlement with alledged sex abuse victims  RESOURCES   •  TIME.com: Catholicism in Crisis   •  The pope's letter   •  Interactive: Catholic Church faces scandal   •  In-Depth: Crisis in the Priesthood

That goes further than a new policy announced last month by Cardinal Edward Egan in response to the pedophilia scandal rocking the Catholic Church.

Under that policy, all allegations against a priest would first be put into writing and than the priest would go before a diocesan advisory committee. This committee, made up of attorneys, judges and former prosecutors, would than decide whether to go to authorities.

But the addendum released Wednesday by Egan's office, states, "When an archdiocesan official has reason to suspect that a priest has sexually abused a minor, the archdiocese will immediately refer the matter to the appropriate district attorney's office for investigation."

That move would take place without review by any advisory committee, the archdiocese said.

The addendum was sent Tuesday in a letter to the 10 district attorneys offices within the New York Archdiocese.

"The archdiocese after consultation with the appropriate district attorney's office, will take appropriate action concerning the priest, as warranted, including removing the priest from his assignment, to ensure the safety of minors," the addendum said.