Mount Clemens Priest Suspended after Parishioner Charged in Sex Assault
By Mitch Hotts
The longtime pastor of St. Peter Catholic Parish in Mount Clemens has been temporarily suspended from his priestly duties for failing to report an alleged sexual assault on a minor female on church property, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Rev. Michael Cooney's suspension follows criminal charges being filed against a 19-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Bishop Michael Byrnes, the auxiliary bishop for the Northeast Region of the archdiocese announced the suspension at all four weekend Masses, the archdiocese said in a news release. "There is no allegation of abuse against Fr. Cooney. None. But the archdioceses does hold him accountable," Byrnes said in the statement. Michael Lentini of Macomb Township was charged Friday in 41B District Court in Clinton Township on charges of attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 10-year felony. Lentini was released on a $20,000 unsecured bond, said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. Both the victim and the defendant are parishioners at the church, but the girl attends public school. Investigators said the two have had some type of relationship beginning in November and allegedly met on parish property during a pancake breakfast after Mass to have sex acts in mid-December. At one point, the victim told a school counselor, who then contacted the teen's mother. "My understanding is the mother then went to Father Cooney and after a time passed, she then filed a report with our department," Wickersham said. According to the news release, Cooney notified the archdiocese in December about a police investigation, but that apparently was after the mother had spoken to the sheriff's office. The release goes on to say Cooney "having been informed of this alleged conduct, failed in his response to protect the victim, in promptly reporting what he knew to law enforcement authorities, and to provide a safe environment for children and young people on parish property." The archdiocese is "appalled" and regretful" about the incident and wants to apologize to the girl, the news release stated. Archdiocese officials pledged to reach out to her and her family to offer help and promote healing. An archdiocesan investigation is now underway, which will include a thorough on-site audit of the parish's adherence to the safe environment policies and practices, with a renewed focus on building safety and restraining of personnel. Cooney, 63, who has been with the St. Peter community since 1990, has been cooperating with the archdiocese, officials said. Under the terms of his suspension, Cooney is temporarily banned from performing public ministry such as offering Mass and sacraments, and cannot present himself as a priest or wear clerical garb. He still will be paid and receive his health care benefits. Archdiocese officials said he has not been permanently restricted or removed from the priesthood. One longtime parishioner said she wants to learn more information about Cooney before making any judgment. "He's been a friend and a confidante over the years, so I can't say anything against him until I can find out exactly what happened," said Nancy Dedenbach of Clinton Township. "I don't think this will have much impact on the church or our Catholic faith." Byrnes, who has been appointed to serve as the temporary administrator of the parish, said a parish meeting likely will be conducted to answer questions and concerns from members once the case is resolved in the courts and the internal investigation is done. Contact: mitch.hotts@macombdaily.com
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