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Monsignor caught with prostitute takes leave of absence following arrest – Metro US

Monsignor caught with prostitute takes leave of absence following arrest

Monsignor Arthur Coyle was arrested. Credit: Archdiocese of Boston Monsignor Arthur Coyle was arrested Sunday. Credit: Archdiocese of Boston

A Boston Archdiocese monsignor pled not guilty to a count of sexual conduct for a fee today after he was allegedly caught with a prostitute at a Lowell cemetery over the weekend.

The Rev. Monsignor Arthur M. Coyle, a 62-year-old Merrimack Valley official with the Archdiocese of Boston, was arrested around 5 p.m. Sunday after he was allegedly caught with the prostitute behind the Polish Cemetery on Boston Road.

He was arraigned this morning in Lowell District Court, according to Middlesex County District Attorney spokeswoman MaryBeth Long.

Bail was set at $500, Long said, but Coyle was released on personal recognizance. He is due in court on Sept. 16 for a pretrial conference.

The Archdiocese released this statement at 2:19 p.m.:

“The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that Rev. Monsignor Arthur M. Coyle has taken a voluntary administrative leave from his assignment, as a result of his arrest on charges related to sexual misconduct involving an adult. Msgr. Coyle has been serving as Episcopal vicar of the Merrimack region for the Archdiocese since 2008.

While on administrative leave, Msgr. Coyle is prohibited from performing any public ministry. These restrictions will remain in place pending the outcome of the case. The steps taken today do not represent a determination of Msgr. Coyle’s guilt or innocence as it pertains to these charges.

The Archdiocese asks for prayers for all impacted by this matter.”

Coyle, the episcopal vicar for the archdiocese, lives at the rectory at St. Rita’s on Mammoth Road.

The Weymouth native was appointed Episcopal vicar in 2008, according to the Archdiocese of Boston, and was ordained a priest in 1977 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

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