ERIE (PA)
Bishopaccountability.org
Summary of Case: Donald J. Cooper was ordained for the Diocese of Erie in 1963. He taught his first year at Bradford Christian High School while residing in a Bradford parish, then assisted in Titusville and Erie parishes until 1975, when he was named pastor of St. Charles’ in New Bethlehem. In 1984 he was assigned as Administrator to Mt. Calvary in Erie, followed in 1987 by a leave of absence. During 1988-1989 Cooper was an assistant priest at a parish in Dubois, after which was the lone priest until 2002 in Force Elk, followed by the same role simultaneously in Houtzdale and Ramey parishes. Cooper was a member of several diocesan committees and the Presbyteral Council, as well as the board of directors for Christ the King Manor in Dubois. There is a gap in his assignment record 2005-2006. His status was ‘retired’ thereafter until his death in December 2011.
Cooper’s name was included on the Erie diocese’s list released April 6, 2018 of priests, lay employees and volunteers accused of sexually abusing minors. The list includes the notation after his name, ‘Forbidden to function as a priest.’
Born: January 27, 1936
Ordained: May 23, 1963
Died: December 16, 2011
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