Parents Say Son Tried Suicide after Alleged Molestation by Philly Priest

By Holly Otterbein
The Newsworks
February 28, 2014

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/65409-parents-say-son-tried-suicide-after-alleged-molestation-by-philly-priest

The trial for a Philadelphia priest accused of molesting an altar boy continued Friday.

The accuser, whose name is being withheld, said the Rev. Andrew McCormick fondled him and attempted to force oral sex him when he was 10 years old. He is now 26.

The young man's parents testified Friday that their son's behavior changed in the months afterward. His father said he became angry and stopped doing the things he once enjoyed. His mother said he later attempted suicide.

The man's parents said their son finally told them about the incident in 2011, after he saw in the news that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia had suspended McCormick, 57, and several other priests because of sex abuse allegations.

A defense attorney asked the accuser's mother if she knew that her son had met with a civil lawyer. She said "no." The prosecution maintains that the young man is not seeking money and has not filed a civil lawsuit.