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Bishop Cooney released from hospital

June 27, 2000
Gaylord Bishop Patrick R. Cooney was released from the hospital Monday following surgery for prostate cancer. "Everything went very well," said Candace Neff, Director of Communications for the Diocese. "His doctor said it appears there were no cancer cells outside of the immediate area and that Bishop is doing fine." Bishop Cooney expects to spend approximately six weeks recuperating and then hopes to resume normal activities. "Bishop assures us he's going to do what the doctors tell him and take sufficient time to rest and recuperate before he returns," Neff said. "Just how long that will ultimately be is really unknown at this point," she added. Fr. John McCracken, Rector of St. Mary Cathedral, saw Bishop Cooney Sunday evening and reported, "He looked remarkably well -- even somewhat refreshed. When I told him that, Bishop laughed saying, 'Well, I've just been laying around for three days.'" In announcing to diocesan staff that he was going to have surgery Bishop Cooney stated, "A part of me is actually looking forward to the recovery period. I have a lot of reading I would like to do and I'll have time to think through future plans for the Diocese." Those who would like to send cards and other expressions of well wishes to Bishop Cooney may do so through the Diocesan Pastoral Center, P.O. Box 1020, Gaylord, Michigan 49735. At Bishop's request, please do not send flowers.