Pinoy priest facing child porn case in US apologizes

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – An Ilonggo priest embroiled in a child pornography case in the United States has apologized to his family, relatives, and friends for disappointing and subjecting them to humiliation.

Fr. Lowe Dongor, 35, also asked the public to spare his family, especially his mother, from further embarrassment.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo on Tuesday, Dongor thanked his family and other Ilonggos who have not wavered in their support for him.

This, he said, drove him to surrender and face the charges against him.

Dongor asked for prayers and moral support for him to hurdle the cases lodged against him.

He said he is praying that he could serve as a priest again.

Last Monday, Dongor flew to the United States with members of the National Bureau of Investigation after he surrendered last month.

Dongor was earlier suspected to be hiding in Iloilo after he disappeared before facing his trial in court in October for charges of possession of child pornography and larceny of more than $250.

Born in Iloilo, he was ordained into the priesthood on June 2, 2010.

He was an associate pastor of the St. Joseph’s Parish in Worcester, Massachussetts before he was caught with his laptop bearing pictures of girls aged 10 and 11 in various stages of undress.

Reports said he was accused of stealing $40 or $50 on several occasions from the parish office, and sending the money to his family in the Philippines.

Rev. Robert McManus of the Worcester diocese in Massachusetts has removed Dongor from active service and also prohibited him from wearing his clerical attire or present himself as a priest.