Fitchburg Priest Back in Custody to Face Child-porn Charges

By Michael Hartwell
Sentinel and Enterprise
December 20, 2012

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_22230141/fitchburg-priest-back-custody-face-child-porn-charges

A Fitchburg priest who fled to the Philippines last year after being accused of possessing child pornography and stealing from his parish is expected to be brought back to Massachusetts soon.

Timothy Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., said the Rev. Lowe Dongor was caught by authorities in his homeland of the Philippines and was extradited to Los Angeles, where he was arrested on Dec. 10. Dongor was arraigned on charges of child-pornography possession and larceny over $250.

Connolly said details are slim at this time, but Dongor waived his right to contest being sent back to Massachusetts and authorities are currently working out the logistics for his return.

"It'll be soon," said Connolly.

In June 2011, a computer expert informed police a computer operated by Dongor contained multiple pornographic images of preteen girls.

In a state police interview in July 2011, Dongor is said to have admitted to downloading the images, which he acquired through a paid website. He also told police he had been swiping small amounts of money from St. Joseph's Parish in Fitchburg, where he was stationed as a priest since 2010. He had been sending the money to his family in the Philippines and said the total amount was more than $250.

Dongor was placed on administrative leave in July 2011.

He was arraigned in Fitchburg District Court on Sept. 10, 2011, on charges of larceny over $250, larceny from a

building and possession of child pornography, and was released on personal recognizance. He did not show up for his Oct. 25, 2011, court appearance and had been missing ever since.

The staff at St. Joseph's Parish referred all requests for comments to the Diocese of Worcester.

Ray Delisle, director of communications for the Diocese of Worcester, said in December 2011 Bishop Robert McManus started the process to laicize Dongor. Commonly referred to as "defrocking," the process to remove someone's priestly title and privileges has to go through the pope.

"We are still awaiting upon a response from the Vatican, so technically he is still Father Lowe Dongor," said Delisle. He said they've been following the case through the media in the Philippines and now the media in the U.S.

The laicization process can take time. Nova Scotian Bishop Raymond John Lahey was found with child pornography on his computer in September 2009. Lahey pleaded guilty in May 2011 and was laicized on May 16 of this year.

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Contact: mhartwell@sentinelandenterprise.com