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Pocono News Section
Priest Accused In Drug Buy Dead
Priest Accused In Drug Buy Dead - Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:45PM EST
Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 @ 08:45pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Diocesan leaders confirmed early Thursday evening Fr. James B. Shimsky, 50, died earlier in the day at St. Mary's Hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Sources said Shimsky was at the dentist when he passed out. The priest was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Bishop-Elect Joseph Bambera said in this statement, "The unexpected and untimely death of Father Shimsky is a great loss for his family and friends, and for the entire Diocese of Scranton. His ministry touched the lives of many people."
Shimsky was arrested and charged in late January for purchasing cocaine on a street in Philadelphia's West Kensington neighborhood, a known drug haven. A district attorney's office spokeswoman previously said Shimsky was scheduled for a formal arraignment at 10 a. m. Thursday morning. A call Thursday afternoon to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office was not immediately returned.
Funeral arrangements for Shimsky are pending.
"He (Shimsky) had willingly embraced his treatment program, and he was working hard to address his issues," Bambera said in a statement.
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