A Catholic bishop from New Jersey who was assigned by Pope Francis to investigate the church’s response to clergy sex abuse is himself accused of sexually abusing a child.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is accused of molesting an altar boy in the 1970s when DiMarzio was a priest in Jersey City. He served at St. Nicholas in Jersey City for seven years.

DiMarzio was later appointed as the executive director of Catholic Community Services by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, who was also accused of sexual abuse.

DiMarzio was later elevated to Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Bishop of Camden. He denies the allegations against him.

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Newark says in a statement, "The incident or incidents in question are alleged to have occurred in the 1970s when Bishop DiMarzio was an Archdiocese priest. The Archdiocese has reported the matter to, and is cooperating with, law enforcement."

New Jersey has begun taking steps to help the victims of alleged sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Earlier this year Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that eases the statute of limitations on filing lawsuits about sexual abuse.

And Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has set up an abuse hotline for victims to report the abuse by clergy members. That hotline is 855-363-6548.