MOUNT CLEMENS (MI)
Detroit Free Press
[statement from the Detroit archdiocese]
By Joe Rossiter
Free Press Staff Writer
The pastor of a Mt. Clemens church has been temporarily suspended after failing to promptly report allegations that a minor had been sexually assaulted on church property by a parishioner, according to a news release the Archdiocese of Detroit issued today.
A statement read to the parish by Bishop Michael Byrnes during weekend masses said the Rev. Michael Cooney, 63, is not involved in the allegations, but he is accused of failing to promptly report “what he knew to law enforcement authorities, and to provide a safe environment for children and young people on parish property,” according to the release.
According to the release, Cooney told the archdiocese in December that Macomb County authorities were conducting an investigation of alleged criminal sexual conduct on church property.
On Friday, Michael Lentini, 19, of Macomb Township was arraigned in 41-B District Court in Clinton Township on one charge of attempted criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, Macomb County Sheriff Tony Wickersham said Sunday night. Lentini was given a $20,000 personal bond and released Friday.
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