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2 Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests found unsuitable for ministry due to sex abuse, drug charges

Published  August 20, 2018 9:03am EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced two priests are unsuitable for ministry over allegations of sexual abuse and drug charges.

Reverend Andrew McCormick, 62, was placed on administrative leave in March 2011 while serving at Sacred Heart Parish in Montgomery County.

In March 2012, McCormick was arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a minor, though he was never convicted. Both of his criminal trials resulted in mistrials, and charges against him were ultimately withdrawn.

In June 2018, following the conclusion of criminal proceedings and civil matters, the Archdiocese launched an investigation of McCormick. The investigation lead to the board's recommendation that McCormick was not suitable for ministry, which was accepted by Archbishop Chaput.

"Father McCormick will either be laicized or enter into a supervised life of prayer and penance," the Archdiocese said in a statement.

MORE: Pennsylvania priests molested over 1,000 children, per report | Key dates in the Pennsylvania church abuse scandal

Monsignor Gregory Parlante, 61, was also deemed unsuitable for ministry.

In the spring of 2017, Parlante was granted a leave of absence as pastor of Saint Cornelius Parish in Chadds Ford at his request. Shortly after, the parish received a package with Parlante's name on it that was believed to contain illegal drugs.

Parlante was arrested in January 2018 on drug charges and entered into a program for first-time offenders with no previous criminal record. He has been ordered to perform 64 hours of community service, make restitution to his former parish community for the theft of $5,500 and complete one year of probation.

The Archdiocese's announcements were made in the wake of a landmark grand jury report alleging that priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses sexually abused more than 1,000 children since the 1940s. The Catholic Church is accused of covering up the crimes, though the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was not named in the report.

Residents can report allegations of sexual abuse or any other criminal activity perpetrated by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by contacting local law enforcement and/or the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

Victim services are also available to through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@archphila.org.

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