South Boston Priest Faces Child Porn Charge

By Laurel J. Sweet
Boston Herald
August 1, 2012

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061150196&srvc=rss

A South Boston priest is expected to answer today to charges he had “pornographic images of girls” appearing to be as young as 8 on a computer he used in the parish rectory, police said.

The Rev. Andrew J. Urbaniak, 39, pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a Roman Catholic church on Dorchester Avenue, was arrested yesterday afternoon on charges of possession and dissemination of child pornography following a two-month-long investigation. Boston and state police task forces assigned to crimes against children teamed up on this case.

Urbaniak is being held on $25,000 cash bail pending his arraignment today in South Boston District Court.

The Archdiocese of Boston announced this morning that Urbaniak was placed on administrative leave following his arrest. The archdiocese added he’s accused of using a computer located in the parish rectory to surf for porn on the web.

"The Provincial Superior of his religious order in Poland has been informed of the matter," the church added. "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."

Police stressed that Urbaniak at this time only faces the child pornography charges and no victims have stepped forward.

Urbaniak is also not allowed to function as a priest in the archdiocese, the church added.

Contact: lsweet@bostonherald.com