FSTDT Forums
Community => Religion and Philosophy => Topic started by: ThunderWulf on August 07, 2013, 12:00:07 am
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http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23803449/lowell-priest-charged-soliciting-prostitute (http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23803449/lowell-priest-charged-soliciting-prostitute)
Monsignor Arthur Coyle, a top official in the Merrimack Valley area for the Archdiocese of Boston, was arrested Sunday and charged with soliciting a prostitute, after having been spotted by police circling around known prostitution spots in the city more than a dozen times in the past 10 months.
Coyle, who has lived at St. Rita's Parish rectory on Mammoth Road for the last year, allegedly drove to the back of a cemetery off Boston Road with a woman in the passenger's seat who is a known prostitute, according to police. He had paid her $40 for oral sex, police said.
Coyle, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was named episcopal vicar for Merrimack Valley in 2008, according to the archdiocese. He was ordained a priest in 1977.
Coyle, 62, was honored last December -- a month after he allegedly was first stopped for suspected solicitation in Lowell -- by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and Pope Benedict XVI when he was given the title of Prelate of Honor, a rank within the title of monsignor. In a statement at the time, O'Malley credited Coyle for "exemplary service" throughout his priesthood and said Coyle's leadership as episcopal vicar would be "of great assistance" as the archdiocese moved ahead with plans to reorganize some parishes.
He was featured in a story by The Sun a month later, when he called the new title "a shock," saying he was very humbled by the decision.
Three police officers in Lowell's Special Investigations Section, which investigates drug and prostitution crimes, spotted Coyle on Sunday allegedly driving on Branch Street, near spots known for prostitution. Officers were familiar with Coyle's black Chevrolet Equinox, seeing him circle around the areas at night "well over a dozen times" since he was first stopped last November, Officer Rafael Rivera said in his report.
Officers routinely keep track of vehicles they see frequently pass through an area known for prostitution or drug-dealing, police spokesman Capt. Kelly Richardson said. Officers in an unmarked car Sunday saw a known prostitute in Coyle's vehicle so they followed him as he drove to a secluded area, he said.
"It's indicative of what goes on, usually," Richardson said of such interactions going on in less visible areas.
The police report did not mention if officers were previously aware of Coyle's job. Richardson said it's common to give a warning to someone officers suspect might be soliciting a prostitute but don't have proof.
Shortly after 5 p.m., on Sunday, officers followed Coyle as he drove down Plain Street and Boston Road before turning into the Holy Trinity Polish Cemetery and driving toward the back of the property, according to police.
Coyle was "very nervous and startled" when the officer approached the vehicle moments later, and after being read his Miranda rights, Coyle admitted to picking up the woman for sex, according to the report. The woman said it was the second time he had done so with her, the report said.
Coyle was first allegedly stopped by police last November, when officers spotted his car off Gorham Street repeatedly passing by a known prostitute and pulling to the side of the road to get her attention, police said. Coyle allegedly said he was "just driving around" and denied passing through the area multiple times.
Since that incident, officers have spotted him allegedly driving at night through Appleton and Westford streets, two spots known for prostitution. He would "stop and slow down every time he sees a single female or a known prostitute walking in these areas," Rivera wrote. "These areas are well-known locations where prostitution-related activity occurs, and these areas are targeted for increased enforcement due to complaints from the area residents."
At his arraignment Monday, an attorney for Coyle said he has no criminal record and has been with the same employer for 36 years. When asked by the judge what Coyle does for a job, the attorney quietly answered, "Priest."
So yeah, this happened just recently a couple towns over from me.
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Vatican outlaws reporting child molestation...and this dude gets busted for doing what everybody wishes priests would do instead...of child molesting. ::)
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Finally, a priestly sex scandal that doesn't involve children.
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Bless you, Father, for trying to pick up adults.
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Am I the only one who looks at this and thinks, "so what?"
I mean I am not a huge fan of prostitution but I am not really for it being illegal. I know that prostitution comes with many other social ills specifically the human trafficking industry, but in general I see it as one of the oldest professions, and one that will never go away.
Priests are human beings, and as a result have sexual urges too, them going to a prostitute in many regards is better than any number of other options. Hell I would even say that a priest going to a prostitute is more "holy" because there are no attachments. Satiating a priests sexual biology is really no different in satiating his hunger. Both of which only become a problem when that priest becomes too attached to the food / person.
Just my two cents though. I am not trying to make any kind of deep argument for or against, just pondering out loud.
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The only problems in this case are:
-The legality of prostitution in that place. Even though IMHO prostitution itself isn't bad unless human trafficking or other such organised crime is involved in it seems that prostitution is illegal there so he did in fact break the law.
-Ethical problem. Even if consensual sex between grown adults isn't bad in itself if this priest should live in celibacy then this really is an ethical problem for him and shows that he has not been able to fulfill the conditions of his duties. (Not all priesthoods demand celibacy but if this one does then he has indeed failed.)
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I could probably contribute something of worth, but instead I'm going to echo a sentiment.
Thank god, a sex scandal involving a priest and an ADULT!
Then again, I think prostitution should be legal and regulated in all states.
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I agree with Askold, regardless of what you think about prostitution (which is a huge thorny issue), he broke both the law and the promises he made as a priest, therefore making him a criminal and a hypocrite.
But at least he didn't fiddle any kids (as far as we know).
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Oh, if it isn't the Catholic Church! And what's this? No little Timmy glued to your crotch? Progress!
Sorry, I had to make that reference.
Yeah, overall this is relatively minor. Not any different from the last time a 'family values' politician got caught soliciting (arguably less bad, since a politician breaking the law should be a bigger deal)
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The guy was paying for services rendered. Routine business transaction. Couldn't the cops have given him a wink-wink in exchange for an indulgence? Or something?
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Stop the Presses! Oh wait...
Just another horny bastard. I live in a city and I see these people all the time when driving past known hocations.
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It is slightly worse than your average joe soliciting a prostitute because he's part of an organization that claims that prostitution is wrong, and that priests should remain celibate. That makes him a hypocrite.
Like Sigma says, no worse than a family-values politician getting caught. And yeah, we're all kind of relieved that he wasn't diddling kids.
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Set this man free. He's done nothing wrong. He WANTS to have sex with adults, he should be freaking rewarded. :P
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Finally, a priestly sex scandal that doesn't involve children.
And it's consensual.
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Am I the only one who looks at this and thinks, "so what?"
I mean I am not a huge fan of prostitution but I am not really for it being illegal. I know that prostitution comes with many other social ills specifically the human trafficking industry, but in general I see it as one of the oldest professions, and one that will never go away.
Priests are human beings, and as a result have sexual urges too, them going to a prostitute in many regards is better than any number of other options. Hell I would even say that a priest going to a prostitute is more "holy" because there are no attachments. Satiating a priests sexual biology is really no different in satiating his hunger. Both of which only become a problem when that priest becomes too attached to the food / person.
Just my two cents though. I am not trying to make any kind of deep argument for or against, just pondering out loud.
I'd mostly agree with this, however i will continue to relish my delicious schadenfreude.
also, heheh, rectory. ;)
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He must have seen the atheist watermelon.
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I'm absolutely shocked...
...that the prostitute was an adult woman.
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Yeah, personally, I see nothing wrong. Prostitution should be legal, regulated and taxed. Think of the Companions in Firefly.
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http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23803449/lowell-priest-charged-soliciting-prostitute (http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_23803449/lowell-priest-charged-soliciting-prostitute)
Monsignor Arthur Coyle, a top official in the Merrimack Valley area for the Archdiocese of Boston, was arrested Sunday and charged with soliciting a prostitute, after having been spotted by police circling around known prostitution spots in the city more than a dozen times in the past 10 months.
Coyle, who has lived at St. Rita's Parish rectory on Mammoth Road for the last year, allegedly drove to the back of a cemetery off Boston Road with a woman in the passenger's seat who is a known prostitute, according to police. He had paid her $40 for oral sex, police said.
Coyle, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was named episcopal vicar for Merrimack Valley in 2008, according to the archdiocese. He was ordained a priest in 1977.
Coyle, 62, was honored last December -- a month after he allegedly was first stopped for suspected solicitation in Lowell -- by Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and Pope Benedict XVI when he was given the title of Prelate of Honor, a rank within the title of monsignor. In a statement at the time, O'Malley credited Coyle for "exemplary service" throughout his priesthood and said Coyle's leadership as episcopal vicar would be "of great assistance" as the archdiocese moved ahead with plans to reorganize some parishes.
He was featured in a story by The Sun a month later, when he called the new title "a shock," saying he was very humbled by the decision.
Three police officers in Lowell's Special Investigations Section, which investigates drug and prostitution crimes, spotted Coyle on Sunday allegedly driving on Branch Street, near spots known for prostitution. Officers were familiar with Coyle's black Chevrolet Equinox, seeing him circle around the areas at night "well over a dozen times" since he was first stopped last November, Officer Rafael Rivera said in his report.
Officers routinely keep track of vehicles they see frequently pass through an area known for prostitution or drug-dealing, police spokesman Capt. Kelly Richardson said. Officers in an unmarked car Sunday saw a known prostitute in Coyle's vehicle so they followed him as he drove to a secluded area, he said.
"It's indicative of what goes on, usually," Richardson said of such interactions going on in less visible areas.
The police report did not mention if officers were previously aware of Coyle's job. Richardson said it's common to give a warning to someone officers suspect might be soliciting a prostitute but don't have proof.
Shortly after 5 p.m., on Sunday, officers followed Coyle as he drove down Plain Street and Boston Road before turning into the Holy Trinity Polish Cemetery and driving toward the back of the property, according to police.
Coyle was "very nervous and startled" when the officer approached the vehicle moments later, and after being read his Miranda rights, Coyle admitted to picking up the woman for sex, according to the report. The woman said it was the second time he had done so with her, the report said.
Coyle was first allegedly stopped by police last November, when officers spotted his car off Gorham Street repeatedly passing by a known prostitute and pulling to the side of the road to get her attention, police said. Coyle allegedly said he was "just driving around" and denied passing through the area multiple times.
Since that incident, officers have spotted him allegedly driving at night through Appleton and Westford streets, two spots known for prostitution. He would "stop and slow down every time he sees a single female or a known prostitute walking in these areas," Rivera wrote. "These areas are well-known locations where prostitution-related activity occurs, and these areas are targeted for increased enforcement due to complaints from the area residents."
At his arraignment Monday, an attorney for Coyle said he has no criminal record and has been with the same employer for 36 years. When asked by the judge what Coyle does for a job, the attorney quietly answered, "Priest."
So yeah, this happened just recently a couple towns over from me.
So what is your reason for posting this?
What does it really reveal? A priest who was weak. At least he is still a virgin... would that be virgin on the ridiculous somehow? ;)
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You're not listening to what we're saying in this thread. Priests aren't supposed to have sex in this....wait. What denomination was he again?
OH HE'S CATHOLIC! Yeah this is supposed to be something that never ever happens.
Ironbite-weak he might be...at least it was with an adult woman.
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I dunno, sex is one of the most primal urges any animal has, maybe even more primal than hunger and thirst.
If you had to spend years not even being allowed to masturbate, I'm pretty sure that giving in wouldn't qualify you as "weak", it'd qualify you as "normal" (unless you go the kiddy fiddler route, in which case, fuck you.)
Unless you don't have a sex drive to begin with, in which case, good for you.
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I dunno, sex is one of the most primal urges any animal has, maybe even more primal than hunger and thirst.
If you had to spend years not even being allowed to masturbate, I'm pretty sure that giving in wouldn't qualify you as "weak", it'd qualify you as "normal" (unless you go the kiddy fiddler route, in which case, fuck you.)
Unless you don't have a sex drive to begin with, in which case, good for you.
How do people go years without even wanking? Wouldn't they get blue balls (vasocongestion) eventually? I don't know about them, but it's painful enough eventually to make it hard to do work.
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I dunno, sex is one of the most primal urges any animal has, maybe even more primal than hunger and thirst.
If you had to spend years not even being allowed to masturbate, I'm pretty sure that giving in wouldn't qualify you as "weak", it'd qualify you as "normal" (unless you go the kiddy fiddler route, in which case, fuck you.)
Unless you don't have a sex drive to begin with, in which case, good for you.
How do people go years without even wanking? Wouldn't they get blue balls (vasocongestion) eventually? I don't know about them, but it's painful enough eventually to make it hard to do work.
That's where the really die-hard fundies would point out that nocturnal emissions are god's plan for that eventuality.