Patrick R. Cooney
March 10, 1934 – October 15, 2012
With great thanksgiving for his life and ministry, the Diocese of Gaylord announces that the Most Reverend Patrick R. Cooney, our beloved Bishop Emeritus, passed into eternal life on Monday, October 15, 2012. Bishop Cooney was 78 years old.
Installed as the Third Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord on
January 28, 1990, Bishop Cooney served the diocese until his retirement in
2009, leading the Catholic Church within the northern 21 counties of Michigan’s
Lower Peninsula for 20 years.
“Bishop Patrick Cooney was a great servant of the Church and
a true father to the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of
Gaylord,” stated Bishop Bernard A. Hebda. “He will be remembered as a shepherd
who loved his flock, admired his fellow priests, and selflessly poured himself
out for the good of this local Church.
“His trust in Divine Providence and love of the Church’s
liturgy will always inspire me,” Bishop Hebda added. “Wherever I go in the
Diocese, there are men and women who can attest to his extraordinary kindness.
He was a bishop of deep faith and a generous heart who freely used his
God-given gifts for the good of the Church.”
Upon his retirement, Bishop Cooney moved to the Detroit area
to be nearer to his family, but joyfully returned to Gaylord for special
events. He joined all four bishops who had served the Diocese of Gaylord in a
historic moment as the diocese celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011. His
most recent visits took place this June when he returned for the ordination of
the diocese’s newest priest, Rev. Peter Wigton, and then in July when the
entire Diocese of Gaylord was honored by Gaylord’s Alpenfest Committee for its
impact on the local communities throughout the diocese.
“We were always so happy when Bishop Cooney was able to come
back for special events in the life the diocese; we felt more complete with his
presence,” Bishop Hebda added. “His twenty years of leadership in the diocese
were a great blessing and he will surely be missed.”
Sadly, due to his failing health, Bishop Cooney was unable
to be present for the rededication and blessing of the Diocesan Conference
Center renamed the “Cooney Conference Center” in his honor on October 6. The
Diocesan Pastoral Center, located right next to Saint Mary Cathedral in
Gaylord, was built in the Jubilee Year 2000 under Bishop Cooney’s direction. It
was his vision to bring the Chancery offices to same grounds as Saint Mary
Cathedral so that they would stand together as the center of the diocese.
During the ceremony, Bishop Hebda noted Bishop Cooney’s deep
appreciation for the liturgical and pastoral renewal set in place by the Second
Vatican Council. He said it seemed especially appropriate to be naming the
Diocesan Conference Center in honor of Bishop Cooney as the Catholic Church
marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Council and observance of a
“Year of Faith.”
“He worked so hard and planned so carefully this space so
that it might be, along with the Cathedral, part of the heart of the whole
diocese,” Bishop Hebda said.
Bishop Cooney released three Pastoral Letters during his
episcopate. The first, “An Agenda for the Church in Gaylord,” issued in 1991,
offered the priorities which would guide the Catholic Church in the Diocese of
Gaylord under his leadership: to “Worship the Almighty,” to “Cherish and Share
His Word,” and to “Co-Build the Kingdom.”
The second Pastoral Letter, ”The Sequence for the
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation of Children in the Diocese of Gaylord,”
released in January of 2001, restored the order of the Sacraments of Initiation
to Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist.
The third Pastoral Letter, “Catechesis: The Primary Goal of
the Church,” stressed the importance of effective catechesis from ‘womb to
tomb’ and set out a new structure for catechetical efforts in the Diocese of
Gaylord which remains in place today. It was released in December, 2006.
Numerous other initiatives were undertaken during Bishop
Cooney’s tenure including three different diocesan Pastoral Assemblies and the
convening of a Parish and Personnel Task Force that carried out an extensive
three-year consultation process. He also instituted a seven-year plan for
evangelization and increased use of broadcast media – including televising of
the weekly Eucharistic liturgy from Saint Mary Cathedral. Under his direction,
a diocesan office was founded to focus on illuminating the social teachings of
the Church that also led to a solidarity partnership with the Diocese of Matagalpa,
Nicaragua. The diocesan Center for Catholic Studies, through which all of the
workshops and trainings sponsored by the diocese are offered, was also
established under Bishop Cooney’s leadership. The Center provides opportunities
for ongoing faith development for those seeking certification in catechetical
and liturgical ministries, as well as for those who simply desire to enrich
their faith life.
With a sound fiscal mind, Bishop Cooney was successful at
keeping the diocesan budget in balance and he worked to establish the Northern
Michigan Catholic Foundation, an endowment fund to help ensure the vitality and
ministries of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Gaylord for generations to
come.
More than half of the diocesan priests currently serving the
Diocese of Gaylord were ordained by Bishop Cooney.
Throughout his life, Bishop Cooney sought to serve God to
the best of his ability and placed his unwavering trust in Him. Upon his
episcopal ordination, Bishop Cooney chose as his motto “Forever Faithful,” a
precept he lived even in his most challenging moments.
He was immensely proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed
trips to his homeland with his brother and sisters. Though he loved reading,
walking, and rooting for his favorite football teams, he most enjoyed spending
time with people, sharing a meal and informal conversation.
Bishop Cooney was the oldest of four children born to
Michael and Elizabeth (Dowdall) Cooney, both now deceased. His brother,
Michael, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, currently serving as Pastor
of Saint Peter Parish in Mount Clemens. One sister, Sister Leontia Cooney,
O.P., is a member of the Adrian Dominicans but retired from active ministry.
His other sister, Mary A. Cooney, served as a teacher and retired from the
Detroit Public School System in 2001.
Bishop Cooney was born in Detroit on March 10, 1934. He was
educated at Saint Edward Elementary School and then attended Sacred Heart
Seminary High School, graduating in 1952. He entered Sacred Heart Seminary
College and was awarded his baccalaureate (B.A.) in 1956 with a major in
philosophy. He next attended the Gregorian University in Rome and received an
S.T.B. Degree (baccalaureate in sacred theology) in 1958 and an S.T.L. Degree
(licentiate in theology) in 1960.
Bishop Cooney was ordained to the priesthood on December 20,
1959, by Bishop Martin J. O'Connor, then rector of the North American College
in Rome.
Following his ordination and completion of theological
studies in Rome, Bishop Cooney returned to Detroit and was the Assistant Pastor
at Saint Catherine Parish from 1960 until 1962, when he was appointed Assistant
Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He remained Assistant Chancellor
until 1969, when he was appointed director of the Department of Worship. He
continued as Director until shortly after his ordination as a bishop. From 1977
to 1983 he was concurrently the Rector of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed
Sacrament in Detroit.
In December, 1982, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named him
to the episcopacy and he was ordained Titular Bishop of Hodelm and Auxiliary
Bishop of Detroit on January 27, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed
Sacrament.
While serving as Assistant Chancellor and Director of
Worship, he was also Chaplain at Mercy College, Detroit, from 1967 to 1972 and the
University of Notre Dame where he received a Master of Arts Degree in
liturgical research in May, 1973.
Bishop Cooney served as liaison to the Catholic Chaplains of
Region VI (Michigan and Ohio) from 1987 to 1991. He was Chairman of the Church
in the City Task Force in the Archdiocese of Detroit when it was established in
December, 1983. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, Bishop Cooney served on a number of committees: Bishops' Committee on
Liturgy, Subcommittee on the Use of Exclusive Language in Liturgy, Subcommittee
of Bishops and Scholars, Chair of the Subcommittee on the Book of Blessings,
Chair of the Subcommittee on Cremation and Other Funeral Questions, Committee
on Laity, National Advisory Council, as Co-Chair of the Roman Catholic Reformed
Church Dialog Committee and was elected to serve as a member of the Board of
Directors of Catholic Relief Services. He served terms on the Board of
Directors of Notre Dame Liturgical Center, the Board of Governors of North
American College and on the Board of Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 22, 2012,
with burial at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.
Tribute prepared by the Diocese of Gaylord.
Tribute prepared by the Diocese of Gaylord.