Bail Set For Ex-Mass. Priest In Child Porn Case

WORCESTER, Mass. - A Roman Catholic priest who was indicted in Massachusetts on child pornography and larceny charges is spending Christmas in jail.

The Telegram & Gazette reports the Rev. Lowe Dongor was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment on Monday in Worcester Superior Court.

Dongor was assigned to St. Joseph's parish in Fitchburg when he was initially charged in 2011. Prosecutors said child pornography was found on his computer, and he was also accused of stealing from the church's weekly collection.

Authorities say Dongor later fled to his native Phillipines. He returned to the U.S. last month and surrendered to authorities in Los Angeles.

Worcester Bishop Robert McManus has asked Pope Benedict XVI to defrock Dongor, who was placed on administrative leave by the diocese.