Monsignor Arthur Coyle of the Boston Archdiocese pleaded not guilty today after being found with a prositute on Sunday, Boston.com reports.
Bail was set at $500 for Coyle, 62, of Lowell. He was arraigned this morning in Lowell District Court and is set to return on September 16 for a pretrial conference, according to Middlesex district attorney spokeswoman Stephanie Guyotte.
The archdiocese released a statement this afternoon:
"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 statement also noted that Coyle voluntarily took a leave of absence from his post as episcopal vicar in the Merrimack region, a position he has held for 5 years. The archdiocese also asked for prayers for everyone involved in and affected by the incident.
Coyle was caught offering money to a prostitute behind a cemetery on Sunday at 5:19 p.m., according to Lowell Police Captain Kelly Richardson. Officials quoted Coyle saying that he had paid the prostitute $40 for oral sex but that the act was not completed.
Police spotted Siriwan Kongkaen, a known prostitute, in Coyle's car. After waiting a few minutes, the officers approached the vehicle and separated the two. He was charged with paying a fee for sexual conduct.
Kongkaen has been arrested several times for prostitution and narcotics-related charges.
In addition, officials noted that Coyle had been seen multiple times in areas known for prostitution, mentioning a specific incident in November near Linden Street. When police stopped him and asked him what he was doing circling the area, he denied any wrongdoing and went home.
Coyle has been an ordained priest since 1977.
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