The US Attorney’s office has charged a Philadelphia catholic priest for child exploitation.
57-year-old catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia father Matthew Kornacki is accused of possessing computer discs and other materials on his personal laptop computer at Saint Charles Borromeo seminary that contained child pornography .
US Attorney Pat Meehan says the images had been mailed, shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce. [emphasis mine]
If convicted, Kornacki faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and $250-thousand fine.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says Kornacki has been removed from active ministry.
He was a priest for more than 30 years and most recently served in the Department of Continuing Formation for priests at the seminary.
Who knows if this priest was trafficking in these images or if this means he just paid money for them? Regardless, this is a terrible charge, especially for someone who is faculty at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. More info on this case and another charge, this for a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, can be found here.