BishopAccountability.org
 
  Priest Arrested for Getting Child Pornography

By Michele Digirolamo
United Press International [Philadelphia]
October 10, 1985

A Roman Catholic priest who taught religion and morality classes at a suburban Philadelphia high school was arrested Thursday and charged with receiving child pornography through the mail.

The Rev. Edward DePaoli, 41, violated federal law when he received in the mail last June a magazine called "Joy Boy 33," a "mainly homosexual child pornography publication" from the Netherlands, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Scheff.

"It is a well-known publication," Scheff said. "It is a magazine which always depicts boys anywhere from 2 to 16 engaging in sexual intercourse with themselves or adults."

He said a search of DePaoli's residence turned up 111 similiar magazines, 40 films and 11 videotapes depicting similiar material. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

Stephen Patrizio, DePaoli's attorney, said the priest expressed a "complete denial of the charge" and "it will be defended vigorously."

DePaoli, a priest in the Philadelphia archdiocese, is a "well-respected theologian" and published author who holds several educational degrees, "probably more degrees than any priest in the diocese," Patrizio said.

DePaoli, a priest in the Philadelphia archdiocese, taught a Christian morality course at Bishop McDevitt High School and taught last year at LaSalle College.

DePaoli, who was ordained in 1970, was relieved of his duties in June when the diocese was informed he was under investigation, said diocese spokeswoman Virginia Durkin. Patrizio said DePaoli "voluntarily resigned."

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.