Ex-St Bede Priest Unsuitable For Ministry After Sex Abuse Charges

A former Bucks County priest has been found unsuitable for ministry, following charges that he sexually abused a young boy, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Sunday.

Reverend Andrew D. McCormick, 62, who most recently served at Sacred Heart Parish in Swedesburg, Montgomery County, had been on administrative leave since 2011 after charges were filed in connection with the alleged abuse. McCormick served at Saint Bede the Venerable Parish in Holland from 2000 to 2004.

McCormick stood for two criminal trials in March 2014 and March 2015 on charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Both resulted in mistrials. The criminal charges against him were formally withdrawn in April 2015, the Archdiocese said. Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, a civil matter was filed against McCormick, which was resolved earlier this year, the Archdiocese said.

The church launched its investigation at the conclusion of both the criminal and civil matters. The Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board, which makes recommendations regarding priests' suitability for ministry, has recommended McCormick was not suitable based on a "substantiated" allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

Archbishop Chaput accepted the recommendation.

McCormick has served at the following parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

• Saint Adalbert Parish, Philadelphia (1982-1986)
• Saint John Cantius Parish, Philadelphia (1986-2000)
• Saint Bede the Venerable Parish, Holland (2000-2004)
• Sacred Heart Parish, Swedesburg (2004-2011); placed on administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2011); arrested (2012); found unsuitable for ministry (2018)

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

“The information above was shared with parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish in Swedesburg at all Mass this weekend as it was Father McCormick’s last assignment prior to being placed on administrative leave,” the statement said.

The news comes days after a grand jury report on widespread alleged clergy sex abuse in Pennsylvania was released. That report, which alleges that 300 Pennsylvania priests sexually abused more than 1,000 children, has resulted in a response from the Pope. "We showed no care for the little ones," he wrote in a letter released Monday. "We abandoned them."

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office established a clergy abuse hotline following the release of the report. That number is: 888-538-8541.

RELATED: 6 Disturbing Details From PA Catholic Priest Sex Abuse Report

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