Philly Priest Charged with Soliciting Officer Posing As Prostitute in Undercover Police Sting

The Republic
March 2, 2012

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/89313189a78d489f9286635afffa3f99/PA--Priest-Prostitution-Sting/

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" and said McCormick has been placed on administrative leave.

The 48-year-old priest is an assistant pastor at St. Timothy Church in Northeast Philadelphia.