South Boston Priest Accused of Downloading Child Porn Onto Church Computer

NECN
August 1, 2012

www.necn.com/08/01/12/South-Boston-priest-accused-of-downloadi/landing_newengland.html?blockID=749845&feedID=4206

[with video]

(NECN: Julie Loncich) - A two-month-long investigation has landed a South Boston priest behind bars, charged with child porn possession and distribution.

He appeared in court Wednesday.

The allegations are quite serious and frankly stunned parishioners that NECN spoke with.

Father Andrzej Urbaniak is accused of downloading and sharing child porn on a church computer.

"My client is very sad," says Defense Attorney Jeffrey Denner.

He has been a priest for 14 years, 12 of which he spent in the United States and the last four at Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston. Father Urbaniak hung his head throughout much of his arraignment Wednesday morning.

"Child pornography and child sexual abuse images on the suspect's computer," said ADA Kate Clayman.

Prosecutors say the 41-year-old catholic priest both possessed and disseminated child pornography, featuring images of children, prosecutors say, as young as seven. Following a two-month investigation, Boston police arrested Urbaniak at the church Tuesday afternoon.

"The suspect's software was actively downloading from and sharing to the internet at the arrival of officers," said ADA Clayman.

Parishioners here say they are stunned by the allegations and describe Urbaniak as a "nice man."

His attorney says his client is ready to sort out his life.

"He has devoted his life to God and God's work. He is a very decent man and the allegations are, of course, very indecent," says Defense Attorney Jeffery Denner. "There's quite a contradiction between who he is and what he's dedicated his life to and what he's alleged to have done."