August 15, 2015 (Louisville, Ky.) – At the Saturday and Sunday Masses on August 15-16, the parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Parish (7813 Shelbyville Road) are being informed that their pastor, Father Stephen A. Pohl, has been placed on an administrative leave of absence. Parishioners also are being notified in a letter from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz.
This week, the Archdiocese learned that an investigation is underway about inappropriate photos of children that have been taken and collected by Father Pohl to determine if he has possessed or distributed child pornography. At this time, the Archdiocese has no other information about this investigation. When an allegation about possible child pornography is received, the following actions are taken in conformity with the Sexual Abuse Policies of the Archdiocese of Louisville:
- The person who has been accused is placed on an administrative leave of absence.
- The Archdiocese submits a report to civil authorities, if not already contacted, and fully cooperates with civil authorities as the investigation proceeds.
- The Archdiocese conducts an internal investigation of the accusation.
All of these steps are underway.
Very Rev. J. Mark Spalding, Vicar General and pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, has been named as the temporary administrator of St. Margaret Mary Parish.
