The Archdiocese of Louisville has issued the following statement:
Effective February 26, 2017, per the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons, the Holy See has granted Stephen A. Pohl a dispensation from the obligations of the clerical state. This means that Stephen Pohl is removed from the clerical state.
Stephen Pohl was convicted and sentenced in 2016 of accessing child pornography and is serving his sentence in federal prison.
Per the sexual abuse policies of the Archdiocese of Louisville, the purpose of this notification is to inform parishioners in the parishes in which the accused has served and to provide information about how to make a report if anyone has factual information about a concern involving child pornography or child abuse.
Stephen Pohl has served in the following parishes or ministries: Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish (Louisville), St. Thomas and St. Monica Parishes (Bardstown); Director of the Vocation Office for the Archdiocese of Louisville; Associate Pastor, St. Athanasius Parish (Louisville), Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral (Bardstown), and St. Gabriel Parish (Louisville); Chaplain or co-chaplain, Mercy Academy, and Deacon, St. Helen now Mary Queen of Peace Parish (Louisville).
Anyone who has information about sexual abuse or child pornography should contact the police. To report to the civil authorities, please call the child protection services or the local police in your county. Please see www.archlou.org/report for a list of these agencies in each county. You also may call the statewide child abuse hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1 or 1-877-597-2331.
Martine Siegel, victim assistance coordinator for the archdiocese, also is ready to assist those who have concerns. Contact her at 636-1044 or email victim
assistance@archlou.org.
