South Boston Priest Arrested on Child Porn Charges

CBS Boston
August 1, 2012

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/south-boston-priest-arrested-on-child-porn-charges/

Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston.

[with audio]

SOUTH BOSTON (CBS) — A Roman Catholic priest in South Boston is facing child pornography charges.

The Rev. Andrew Urbaniak, 39, a priest at Our Lady of Czestochowa, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a two-month investigation.

Boston police said they found several pornographic images of young girls on his computer.

He's charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography.

Urbaniak was held on $25,000 cash bail and will be arraigned in South Boston District Court Wednesday morning.

"At this time no victims have come forward and Urbaniak is not charged with enticing a child," police said in a statement.

Parishoners at Our Lady of Czestochowa arrived for the 8 a.m. Mass Wednesday only to find it cancelled and the church doors locked.

The Archdiocese of Boston released this statement Wednesday morning:

"The Archdiocese of Boston announced that Rev. Andrzej Urbaniak, O.F.M. Conv., pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest on child pornography charges involving the use of a computer located in the parish rectory. The Provincial Superior of his religious order in Poland has been informed of the matter. Fr. Urbaniak's faculties have been suspended and he is not allowed to function as a priest in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese is fully cooperating with law enforcement. The Church prays for all those impacted by these events and is committed to providing for the pastoral care of the parish during this difficult time."