UPDATE: Embattled priest resigns; had 'inappropriate' photos of St. Margaret Mary students

By John P. Wise And Joey Brown
WAVE
August 21, 2015

http://www.wave3.com/story/29851311/update-embattled-priest-resigns-had-inappropriate-photos-of-st-margaret-mary-students

Fr. Stephen Pohl

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The local priest who was put on administrative leave pending a child porn investigation had photographs of some of the students from his parish and has resigned as pastor of the church.

A letter sent from the Archdiocese of Louisville to St. Margaret Mary parishioners indicated that Father Stephen A. Pohl "had numerous (up to 200) photos of St. Margaret Mary school children on his computer that were taken on the parish grounds."

"We were informed that children were fully clothed in the pictures, but the authorities described some of these pictures as 'inappropriate,'" the letter continued.

A second revelation in the letter indicated that "Fr. Pohl had downloaded child pornography on his personal computer and other technology."

Pohl was placed on leave on Aug. 12, the day Archdiocese leaders "first learned of this situation," the letter read.

Pohl had reported to church officials that FBI investigators had visited him.

Two days later, on Aug. 14, after various confirmations, "the Archdiocese mailed letters to every St. Margaret Mary family summarizing this information," according to the Aug. 21 letter.

In a separate letter, this one from Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, also dated Aug. 21, the leader of the Archdiocese of Louisville said Fr. Pohl had resigned as pastor effective Aug. 20 "so that he can give his full attention to the situation he is facing and so that St. Margaret Mary Parish can move forward."

"Fr. Steve's ministry as a priest remains suspended," Kurtz added. "He may not present himself as a priest, wear clerical garb or provide ministry."

Kurtz said church leaders would continue to cooperate with authorities as the investigation progresses.