ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES FINAL DETERMINATIONS IN CASES OF TWO PRIESTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Reverend Andrew D. McCormick was placed on administrative leave in March 2011; Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante was placed on administrative leave in June 2017. Neither has functioned publicly as a priest since those actions were taken. Both have been found unsuitable for ministry.

Contextual Background Regarding Reverend Andrew D. McCormick

Reverend Andrew D. McCormick, was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following the March 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report and based on concerns regarding his suitability for ministry.

An announcement to that effect was made at Sacred Heart Parish in Swedesburg (Montgomery County) where he had been serving as pastor when he was placed on leave over seven years ago. He has not been in active ministry since that time.

In July 2012, Father McCormick was arrested on charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. That arrest stemmed from a report made directly to law enforcement and had been previously unknown to the Archdiocese. His former parish community was updated following the arrest.

During the ensuing criminal investigation, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia cooperated fully with the authorities. Father McCormick stood for two criminal trials in March 2014 and March 2015, respectively. Both resulted in mistrials. The criminal charges against him were formally withdrawn in April 2015. Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, a civil matter was filed against Father McCormick, which was resolved earlier this year.

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend Andrew D. McCormick

The required canonical (church) investigation of Father McCormick was launched following the conclusion of both the criminal and civil matters. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations undertook that process in June of this year.

That office is responsible for conducting internal and canonical investigations following the conclusion of work performed by civil authorities and is headed by a former First Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. The office also performs such investigations in matters that center on alleged activity that is not illegal in nature, but that may violate The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries established by the Archdiocese.

The Director of the Office of Investigations oversees the work noted above and is the liaison between the Archbishop and the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board (APRRB). The APRRB was established in 2002 and functions as a confidential advisory body to the Archbishop. It is composed of 12 men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who possess extensive professional experience in investigation, prosecution, child abuse prevention, victim services, and the treatment of sexual offenders. Information regarding the credentials of the APRRB’s members is available at

https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/.

The APRRB receives the results of canonical investigations conducted by the Office of Investigations. The APRRB then evaluates all facts and makes a recommendation to the Archbishop regarding an individual cleric’s suitability for ministry so that he can make a final decision in the matter.

This board recommended to the Archbishop that Father McCormick was not suitable for ministry based on a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and recently informed Father McCormick of the final decision in this matter. Father McCormick will either be laicized or enter into a supervised life of prayer and penance.

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.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend Andrew D. McCormick

Father McCormick is 62 years old. He was ordained in 1982. He 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); and Sacred Heart Parish, Swedesburg (2004-2011); placed on administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2011); arrested (2012); found unsuitable for ministry (2018).

Contextual Background Regarding Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante

In the early spring of 2017, Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante was granted a leave of absence from his assignment as pastor of Saint Cornelius Parish (Chadds Ford) at his request.

In May of 2017, and after his departure, parish staff opened a package that was delivered to the parish life center with Monsignor Parlante’s name on it. That package was believed to contain illegal drugs. The matter was reported to law enforcement and a search warrant was executed. Both the parish and the Archdiocese cooperated fully with law enforcement during the course of their investigation over the course of several months.

That criminal investigation concluded in January 2018. At that time, Monsignor Parlante was arrested and faced two misdemeanor charges—Knowing or Intentional Possession of a Controlled Substance and Use or Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia as well as one felony charge—Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition. Parishioners at Saint Cornelius were notified of the circumstances leading to the criminal investigation as well as the arrest and charges previously.

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante

In cooperation with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Monsignor Parlante has entered into a program called Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, an initiative designed for first time offenders with no previous criminal record.

As part of the disposition of his criminal case, Monsignor Parlante 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.

With the criminal prosecution concluded, the required canonical (church) investigation of Monsignor Parlante was launched earlier this year by the Archdiocesan Office of Investigations.

https://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/.

This board recommended to the Archbishop that Monsignor Parlante was not suitable for ministry based on substantiated violations of the Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and informed Monsignor Parlante earlier this week of the final decision in this matter.

The information above was shared with parishioners at Saint Cornelius Parish in Chadds Ford at all Mass this weekend as it was Monsignor Parlante’s last assignment prior to being placed on administrative leave.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Parlante

Monsignor Parlante is 61 years old. He was ordained in 1982. He has served at the following parishes, schools, and offices in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Saint Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale (1982-1986); Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Philadelphia (1986); Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote (1986-1990); Immaculate Conception Parish, Jenkintown (1987); Archbishop John Carroll High School, Radnor (1990-1992); Saint Madeleine Sophie Parish, Philadelphia (1992-1995); Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (1992-1997); Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Bridgeport (1997-1998); Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Philadelphia (1998-2004); and Saint Cornelius Parish, Chadds Ford (2004-2017); placed on administrative leave and priestly faculties restricted (2017); found unsuitable for ministry (2018).

To Make a Report

We recognize that today’s public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence and exploitation. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or [email protected].

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse or any other criminal activity perpetrated by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

If you would like to report a violation of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about ongoing efforts within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia over the past 15 years to provide safe environments for the children and young people entrusted to its care and to assist survivors of sexual abuse on their path to healing, please visit www.AOPPledgetoProtect.com.