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South Boston Priest Arrested On Child Porn Charges

SOUTH BOSTON (CBS) -- A Roman Catholic priest in South Boston is facing child pornography charges.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

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The Rev. Andrew Urbaniak, 39, a priest at Our Lady of Czestochowa, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a two-month investigation.

Rev. Andrew Urbaniak
Rev. Andrew Urbaniak. (Photo courtesy: Suffolk County D.A.'s Office)

That investigation began with a sting operation where Urbaniak allegedly shared illegal images with an undercover State Police officer.

Police seized his computer in the church rectory and said they found several pornographic images of girls between 8 and 10 years old on it.

Prosecutors say he admitted to police that he was aware of the images.

He's charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography.

"At this time no victims have come forward and Urbaniak is not charged with enticing a child," police said in a statement.

Urbaniak was arraigned Wednesday morning and held on $10,000 cash bail. If he is released on bail, he will not be allowed to have any contact with minors and will not be allowed to use the internet.

Parishoners at Our Lady of Czestochowa arrived for the 8 a.m. Mass Wednesday only to find it cancelled and the church doors locked.

The Archdiocese of Boston released this statement Wednesday morning:

"The Archdiocese of Boston announced that Rev. Andrzej Urbaniak, O.F.M. Conv., pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa in South Boston, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest on child pornography charges involving the use of a computer located in the parish rectory. The Provincial Superior of his religious order in Poland has been informed of the matter. Fr. Urbaniak's faculties have been suspended and he is not allowed to function as a priest in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese is fully cooperating with law enforcement. 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."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens contributed to this report

You can follow him on Twitter @carlwbz.

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