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	Suspended Priest Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Mother, Sister The Associated Press, carried in Herald-Tribune March 2, 2006 http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/APN/603020590 DUDLEY, Mass. -- The suspended pastor of a Worcester church, who was placed on administrative leave after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, has been charged with assaulting his mother and sister at the Oxford home the three share. The Rev. Joseph A. Coonan, 58, is charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery on a person over 65 years of age, and one count of intimidating a witness, according to court documents. An innocent plea was entered on his behalf at his arraignment in Dudley District Court on Wednesday. He was released on bail of $250 and personal recognizance. He is due back in court April 4 for a pretrial conference. Rev. Coonan was removed from ministry at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in August 2002 by former Worcester Diocese Bishop Daniel P. Reilly after some men came forward with allegations of inappropriate contact in the 1970s. According to a police report filed with the court clerk's office, when they responded to a 911 call to the home Tuesday, Rev. Coonan's mother, Mabel G. Coonan, said there had been an argument at the home. Mrs. Coonan said her son had put his hand around her neck while his sister told police that he pulled her hair. Rev. Coonan told police there had been an argument but no physical violence. There were no visible signs of injury on the women. The police report indicated that Rev. Coonan had been drinking at the time of the incident. Also, police said both women did not seek assistance in obtaining a court order to prohibit Coonan from contacting them. A spokesman for the Worcester Diocese said Coonan remains on administrative leave but has not resigned his pastorship. Raymond L. Delisle said Coonan has no public ministry. In 2003, the diocese asked Coonan to resign as pastor. At the time, a spokesman for Coonan said the priest had hired a canon lawyer and planned to fight his removal.
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