Priest Indicted on Charges of Child Pornography, Theft from Fitchburg Parish

By Gary V. Murray
Telegram & Gazette Staff
March 26, 2012

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120326/NEWS/120329651/1116

A Roman Catholic priest accused of possessing child pornography and stealing from his Fitchburg parish has been indicted on related charges.

A Worcester County grand jury handed up indictments Friday charging the Rev. Lowe B. Dongor with possession of child pornography and larceny of more than $250. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Rev. Dongor, who authorities believe has fled the country and possibly returned to his native homeland of the Philippines.

State police allege that one of Rev. Dongor’s laptop computers contained images of girls 10 or 11 years old in various states of undress. The 36-year-old priest also allegedly admitted to investigators that he stole “$40 or $50” from St. Joseph parish in Fitchburg on a number of occasions to send home to his family in the Philippines.

Initially charged in September in Fitchburg District Court, Rev. Dongor, the Diocese of Worcester’s first Filipino priest, is on an administrative leave of absence and was relieved of his duties as associate pastor of St. Joseph’s by Bishop Robert J. McManus in July.

The diocese recently asked the Vatican to defrock Rev. Dongor in light of the child pornography allegations against him.

After his arrest, Bishop McManus asked Rev. Dongor to move off church property until his case was resolved.

Contact: gmurray@telegram.com