Felony Charges Reinstated against Former Philly Priest

WPVI
October 2, 2012

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8832242

Rev. Andrew McCormick

Felony charges have been reinstated against a former Philadelphia priest, accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy over a decade ago.

56-year-old Andrew Mccormick is facing endangering the welfare of a child, corrupting the morals of a minor, indecent assault, and indecent exposure charges. However, he is now facing additional felony charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault.

The charges stem from the alleged sexual assault of a ten year old boy in 1997. McCormick was a priest at St. John Cantius Church in Bridesburg at the time.

Prosecutors say following the abuse, McCormick attempted to keep the boy quiet, allegedly telling the victim, "Masturbation is a sin, homosexuality is a sin, pre-marital sex is a sin and lying is a sin."

The accuser's credibility was not at issue at the August preliminary hearing, but the judge found the acts described did not meet the legal definition of sexual assault and deviant intercourse, resulting in the drop of the felony charges.

However, after an appeal by prosecutors the felony charges were reinstated.

McCormick is now scheduled for a formal arraignment on October 23, 2012. He is currently free on bail.