NEW YORK
Miskayuna

By NED CAMPBELL
Gazette Reporter

CLIFTON PARK — A Niskayuna priest who pleaded guilty in August to having sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl was sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine and $255 in surcharges Wednesday in Clifton Park Town Court.

The Rev. James Michael Taylor, 31, who had been suspended as a priest by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany when he was arrested, was removed from the ministry Wednesday by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, according to diocese spokesman Ken Goldfarb. This means he may no longer perform any priestly duties.

Taylor, who was convicted of one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child, will receive no jail time or probation for the charge, which is punishable by up to a year in jail.

Town Justice James Hughes also placed a five-year order of protection for the victim, effective immediately, barring Taylor from…