Police said the Rev. Patrick McCormick approached a police officer posing as a prostitute during a vice unit undercover operation Thursday night and offered her money to perform a sex act.
Investigators said he was arrested on the spot and charged with patronizing a prostitute. He was ordered to perform 18 hours of community service and pay $200 in fines.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in a written statement Friday, called the information "deeply troubling" and said McCormick has been placed on administrative leave.
The 48-year-old priest is an assistant pastor at St. Timothy Church in Northeast Philadelphia.
