South Boston Parish Rallies After Arrest Of Priest On Child Porn Charges
BOSTON (CBS)- Community leaders in the "Polish Triangle" called a meeting and news conference on Saturday. Leaders billed it "as a response to Tuesday's developments at the last remaining Polish parish in the city of Boston."
But at the public meeting, organizers tried to shift the focus to Polish pride and unity.
Rev. Andrew Urbaniak was arrested at his church in South Boston earlier this week on child pornography charges. Investigators say Urbaniak, 39, used Our Lady of Czestochowa computers to share pictures of naked 8-year-old girls with undercover State Police officers.
"In a situation like this I think it's important to remind people about other accomplishments we have as a [Polish] community," said Marcin Bolec, the editor of "White Eagle." The Polish American newspaper took the lead in setting up the meeting at the Polish American Citizens Club on Boston Street.
Bolec says there's much more to the Polish community than the shadow recently cast by Urbaniak's arrest. He encouraged gatherers to spread the word about the positive contributions the church makes to the city.
"We are trying to do patriotic things to keep our Polish souls intact and do things to remind our children that they are of Polish blood," remarked one attendee.
Others found it difficult to stick to the topic of unity when their beloved priest is accused of such a serious crime.
"When he was managing us, he did good. If he had demons, that's not a reason for us to kick him. You know what? Nobody is without a sin," said Christine Puricelli.
Puricelli came to the meeting with a friend. The pair appeared to clash with their neighbors while speaking Polish.
Urbaniak is charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography. He is on administrative leave from the church while the case plays out in court.
