Last evening, Fr. Mark Spalding and Dr. Brian Reynolds met with school parents of St. Margaret Mary Parish School. This meeting was held to keep parents informed and to answer questions.

The following information was shared at this meeting:

  • Dr. Reynolds reviewed the steps that were taken since the Archdiocese first learned of this situation on Wednesday, August 12.

1) On August 12, Archbishop Kurtz placed Fr. Pohl on administrative leave, pending investigation, after Fr. Pohl reported being visited by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the FBI.

2) The same day, the Archdiocese reached out to authorities to confirm this information.

3) On Thursday, August 13, Archbishop Kurtz appointed a temporary administrator for St. Margaret Mary Parish – Reverend J. Mark Spalding.

4) On Friday, August 14, the Archdiocese mailed letters to every St. Margaret Mary family informing them of his information.

5) Over the weekend, Fr. Jeff Shooner, Vicar for Priests, and Fr. Mark Spalding spoke at all of the Masses.

  • Yesterday, Dr. Brian Reynolds spoke with the chief investigator, Detective Dan Jackman. Detective Jackman relayed two pieces of information that Dr. Reynolds shared with parents:

1) Fr. Pohl had numerous (up to 200) photos of St. Margaret Mary school children on his computer that were taken on the parish grounds. Dr. Reynolds was informed that children were fully clothed in the pictures, but the authorities described some of these pictures as “inappropriate.”

2) The second discovery was that Fr. Pohl had downloaded child pornography on his personal computer and other technology.

  • Detective Jackman informed Dr. Reynolds that the investigation is in the early stages and that it will not conclude for quite some time. The detective will be working directly with the school administration on particular concerns or questions, and parents were encouraged to contact Detective directly if they have information to report or specific concerns.
  • Yesterday, Fr. Stephen Pohl submitted his resignation as pastor. The Archbishop will be naming a permanent pastor as soon as possible. Fr. Mark will continue to serve as the temporary administrator in the meantime.

August 21, 2015
Archdiocese of Louisville

 

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