Priest Charged with Solicitation

Courier Post
March 3, 2012

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120303/NEWS01/203030317/Priest-charged-solicitation

PHILADELPHIA — A Roman Catholic priest has been arrested as part of a prostitution sting in Philadelphia.

Police said the Rev. Patrick McCormick approached a police officer posing as a prostitute during a vice unit undercover operation Thursday night and offered her money to perform a sex act.

Investigators said he was arrested on the spot and charged with patronizing a prostitute. He was ordered to perform 18 hours of community service and pay $200 in fines.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in a written statement Friday, called the information "deeply troubling."

The statement added that McCormick has been placed on administrative leave.

The 48-year-old priest has been assisigned as an assistant pastor at St. Timothy Church in Northeast Philadelphia.