Archdioscese of Detroit Finds Mount Clemens Priest "Negligent" in Duties by Delaying to Report Suspected Abuse

By Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
Detroit News
August 30, 2014

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140830/METRO03/308300035/1361/Archdioscese-of-Detroit-finds-Mount-Clemens-priest--negligent--in-duties-by-delaying-to-report-suspected-abuse

Rev. Michael Cooney was suspended from Feb. – April 2012, and following that, a panel of canon lawyers launched an investigation. More than two years later, the panel’s findings have been reported to Archbishop Allen Vigneron.

The report states that Cooney “was negligent in performing his duties as pastor of St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens, by failing to properly report the suspected abuse of a minor in a timely manner and failing to take proper measures to protect an alleged victim,” according to a press release from the Archdiocese.

The panel determined that although the pastor advised a family member to report the abuse to authorities, he had the responsibility to report the abuse immediately when he learned of it.

Vigneron has issued a personal rebuke to Cooney, required him to make a retreat and to write letters of apology to the parish and to the family and others affected by the failure to report, according to the release.

Cooney has been with the parish since 1990 and there are no allegations of abuse against him.

Vigneron acknowledged his 24 years of service and his “otherwise exemplary program of child protection in place at the parish,” the release states.

In Feb. 2012, Michael Lentini, 19, of Macomb Township was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and ended up serving two years probation.

Lentini, who was an usher and parishioner at the church, allegedly performed sexual acts on a 14-year-old girl while at a pancake breakfast at the church in November. The two had a relationship through December, but were not boyfriend and girlfriend, Wickersham said.

The girl confided in a school counselor, who reported the incidents to authorities. Her mother later filed a complaint with the sheriff's office.

The archdiocese did not take action until the arrest was made to avoid interfering with the criminal investigation.

A message left for Cooney at the church was not immediately returned Saturday morning.

lrazzaq@detroitnews.com

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