By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – On Friday, a national report was released on sexual abuse by priests. But on the eve of its release, a local Catholic priest was removed from serving at two Wyoming County churches after being charged with child pornography.
Fifty-six-year-old Father Fred Ingalls -- administrator of St. Joseph Church in Varysburg and St. Cecelia Parish in Sheldon -- was arrested and charged. Armed with search warrants Thursday, FBI agents say they uncovered a number of pornographic images on his computer at the church on Attica Road.
It is the second time parishioners at St. Joseph Church are dealing with priest troubles. Last summer, the Rev. Robert Woods was removed as pastor for abuse allegations that occurred years ago.
Buffalo's Diocesan administrator Msgr. Robert Cunningham has removed Ingalls from his ministry. Ingalls will not be allowed to function as a priest pending the investigation.
FBI agents say they traced the Web pornography purchases through Ingalls credit card.
Prior to his assignment at the two churches, Ingalls served at St. John the Baptist in Alden.