BishopAccountability.org

Archdiocese of Detroit: Mt. Clemens priest 'negligent' in sex abuse case

Detroit Free Press
September 2, 2014

http://www.freep.com/article/20140902/NEWS05/309020076/Michigan-priest-sex-abuse-case

The Archdiocese of Detroit has found a Mount Clemens priest was “negligent” when he didn’t promptly report a sexual assault on church property to police.

The archdioceses says an investigation by a panel of church law judges concluded Rev. Michael Cooney of St. Peter’s Catholic Church didn’t properly notify police in 2011. The panel says Cooney failed to take measures to protect a 14-year-old girl when he learned a 19-year-old usher had sexually abused her at a church event.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron says Cooney has apologized for not taking action. He says he’s requiring Cooney to make a retreat and write letters of apology to people involved.

The teen’s family filed a lawsuit in Macomb County court against the 19-year-old, Cooney and the archdiocese. An undisclosed settlement was reached in 2013.

 




.


Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.