Members of St Peter's RC Church, Winchester, are devastated by the arrest of a former priest on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Father Michael O'Kelly (47), who was at St Peter's in the '80s, is now parish priest at English Martyrs' Church, Reading.

In a joint Customs and Excise and Thames Valley Police operation, police arrested him at his home at 6.15am on October 18th and seized videos, computers and CD Roms containing obscene material. He was questioned and released on bail.

The Bishop of Portsmouth, Crispian Hollis, said he was "appalled and saddened" by the news. The day after the arrest, he spoke to Father O'Kelly's parishioners, taking every mass at his church.

The bishop said the matter was being dealt with in accordance with the diocesan guidelines and the recommendation of the Nolan Review. He said Father O'Kelly was on leave until the matter was resolved.

St Peter's parishioners heard the news after Sunday masses. Many were shocked and saddened--and some seethed with anger.

Whilst at Winchester, he introduced scores of people into the Church and led pilgrimages to the ecumenical community of Taiz, France.