At approximately 5 p.m. Friday, March 2, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia learned that Father Patrick G. McCormick was arrested Feb. 23 and charged with patronizing a prostitute, according to a statement by the archdiocesan Communications Office. “This information is deeply troubling,” the statement said.

It explained that Father McCormick informed the Archdiocese on Feb. 24 that he had been arrested the day before, but that the charge was driving under the influence.

Father McCormick was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in 1996 and currently is assigned as parochial vicar at St. Timothy Parish in Northeast Philadelphia. He has been placed on administrative leave, according to the statement.