AUSTRALIA
ABC News
The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle has revealed a now dead priest, who once worked across the Hunter region, was a paedophile.
Bishop Greg Thompson released a statement overnight saying the Diocesan Professional Standards Office had verified information the late Hunter Valley reverend Michael Cooper had engaged in sexual abuse of children.
Before he died in 2007, he worked in the parishes of East Maitland, Telarah/Rutherford, Mount Vincent/Weston, Cessnock/Wollombi, Hamilton and Waratah.
Bishop Thompson said, as well as the abuse, Cooper supplied alcohol and prohibited drugs to minors.
A private meeting was held in Rutherford overnight where parishioners were informed of the revelation.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.