Priest Charged with Abusing Boy in "97

My Fox Philly
July 27, 2012

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/19132211/montgomery-county-priest-arrested-for-sexual-assault


Only FOX 29 News was there when Father Andrew McCormick walked into the Special Victims Unit in handcuffs Thursday night to face charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old altar boy inside the rectory at a Port Richmond church back in 1997.

"Inside the rectory at St John Cantius sexual contact was made with this 10-year-old little boy," Capt. John Darby of the Special Victims Unit said.

McCormick, 56, is charged with indecent sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor.

District Attorney Seth Williams says McCormick, the former pastor in charge of altar boys at St. John Cantius, tried repeatedly to ensure that the 10-year-old would not tell anyone about the sexual assault.

"The defendant would repeatedly tell the boy masturbation is a sin, homosexuality is a sin, pre-marital sex is a sin and lying is a sin," Williams said.

Investigators say the victim is now 25. He came forward last December citing the Penn State sex scandal and priest abuse cases here. McCormick was suspended by the Archdiocese with more than two dozen priests in 2011. His former parishioners here were stunned to hear of his arrest.

"It's very sad because we felt he was a wonderful priest. He did his job," said parishioner Gloria Jankiewicz.

"I don't believe he did it whatever they're accusing him of. I know he didn't do it," another parishioner added.

McCormick also served as pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Swedesburg, Montgomery County where he was credited by parishioners with re-invigorating the church.

"It's a shame, it really is. The Catholic church is going down the tubes," said Ryan Henderson of St. John Cantius.

Williams added, "We have reason to believe and to suspect that there are other victims of Mr. McCormick, who frequently took boys to Poland."

Investigators say there were numerous instances of contact with this 10-year-old, but it involved just one sexual incident. The DA praised the courage of the young man who came forward.