High-ranking Priest Arrested on Prostitution Charge in Lowell

The Patriot-Ledger
August 5, 2013

http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x273445338/High-ranking-priest-arrested-on-prostitution-charge-in-Lowell

Monsignor Arthur M. Coyle

A high-ranking priest with with long ties to the South Shore was arrested after police allegedly found him with a prostitute behind a Lowell cemetery.

Authorities say Msgr. Arthur Coyle, a native of Weymouth, was granted $500 bail after pleading not guilty Monday in Lowell to sexual conduct for a fee.

Police say he was arrested just after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Msgr. Coyle, 62, is the Episcopal Vicar for the Merrimack Region, meaning he oversees several parishes in the area. He lives at the rectory of St. Rita's parish in Lowell.

A call to St. Rita's was referred to the archdiocese. An archdiocese spokesman did not immediately return a call or email for comment.

Msgr. Coyle was ordained in 1977 and has been vicar since 2008.

In January, Pope Benedict XVI named him a prelate of honor, the second highest rank for a monsignor.

The archdiocese announced Monday that Msgr. Coyle has taken a voluntary administrative leave from his assignment.

While on administrative leave, he is prohibited from performing any public ministry. These restrictions will remain in place pending the outcome of the case.

In 35 years in the priesthood, Msgr. Coyle has served as a parochial vicar, pastor and member of the Cabinet and now Episcopal Vicar for the Merrimack Region.

He is a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth and holds degrees from St. John Seminary, St. John Seminary School of Theology and Cambridge College.

He has served at St. Patrick Parish in Brockton, St. Bridget Parish in Framingham, St. Michael Parish in Avon, St. Peter Parish in Norwood, St. Mary of the Nativity Parish in Scituate, and St. Patrick Parish in Lowell. He previously served as chaplain at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton and director of campus ministry at Framingham State University.