Kenneth E. Untener
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Edward Untener was a Roman Catholic bishop
, serving the Diocese of Saginaw
from 1980 until his death.
in 1937, and was the seventh of nine children. His family lived on Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River
where his father worked. Untener attended the Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, followed by St. John's Seminary near Plymouth, Michigan
.
He was an active athlete, playing sports such as golf
, ice hockey
, and handball
. It was while playing the last that Untener broke his right leg, only a year before his ordination. Due to complications caused by a genetic deformity, doctors amputated the leg below the knee, and Untener wore a prosthesis
for the remainder of his life.
in 1963. After his ordination, he served in Detroit for a time, and then studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
, earning a doctorate. He returned to the United States, taught for a period at Sacred Heart Seminary, and eventually became the rector of St. John's Seminary in 1977.
to the episcopacy immediately became embroiled in controversy, however, as area Catholics filed complaints with the Vatican about a recent workshop on sexuality
Untener authorized at St. John's Seminary. Detractors of the workshop claimed it promoted lewdness and promiscuity. In the time leading up to Untener's ordination, he made two trips to the Vatican to defend himself and appeal to Pope John Paul II
that he should become bishop. On the second trip, Detroit Cardinal John Dearden came with him and publicly gave his support.
Untener was consecrated bishop on November 24, 1980, aged 43. Untener later stated of the ordeal, "Having experienced that right away freed me of the burden of trying to be held in favor."
Bishop Untener was roundly praised by his peers for his ability to manage his diocese, develop leadership skills in priests and laity, and delegate responsibilities. His approach allowed him the freedom to travel, teach, and give speeches regularly. Untener was frequently asked to speak to priests and ministers due to his reputation for a deep understanding of the scripture. Despite holding views that the Vatican
deemed controversial, he maintained positive relations with them throughout his career.
in the church, ministry to the poor and participative liturgy. His liberal views often put him at odds with conservative Catholics and with the Vatican. He was regarded as being sensitive to the viewpoints of liberal Catholics. His overall view was that one should keep an open mind, consider the logic of one's actions and how they affect the church, and reflect openly over controversial issues. He frequently derided the Vatican for avoiding debate on real issues that potentially harmed the entire church.
kept quite diverse company in his lifetime, including many people who were unwelcome in the synagogue
s of the time. Untener felt that modern Catholics should adopt this view in welcoming people into their own parishes. He was noted for his advocation of helping the poor, and his emphasis that needy people should be treated equally and not judged for their worthiness of help. He spoke out for women's rights in society and in the church, although never outright endorsing the ordination of women as priests.
Untener has been credited with writing the prayer, "We are prophets of a future not our own." This poem, often attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero
, was delivered by Cardinal John Francis Dearden in November 1979.
and abortion
. He occasionally lamented that the church was moving toward "corporate severity" instead of a more accepting state of mind. He was an outspoken critic of the church's ban on artificial birth control
. He collaborated on writing about abortion issues, and advocated for developing programs that openly addressed abortion issues faced by families. Some referred to his views as "ultra-liberal", while others argued that Untener simply liked to question things, even when doing so was difficult or controversial.
of his priests. He was known to have hosted a cherry stone spitting contest at the diocese every spring. Another example was a line he delivered during a greeting at the Saginaw Civic Center after his consecration: "Hello, I'm Ken, and I'll be your waiter." Untener also was made an honorary member of the Saginaw Gears hockey team in the early 1980s and took to the ice in a Gears jersey but was unable to help the team win; he also played hockey regularly with friends for many years after becoming a bishop.
Nearly three years after Untener's death, some of his reflections were collected in a book, The Practical Prophet: Pastoral Writings.
on March 27, 2004. His death was a shock to many people, as it had only been announced six weeks prior that he suffered from leukemia.
His funeral mass was celebrated in Saginaw and included a homily by Archbishop John R. Quinn
of San Francisco, California
.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, serving the Diocese of Saginaw
Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is a Roman Catholic diocese covering eleven counties in Michigan. It was founded on February 26, 1938; the first bishop was William Francis Murphy....
from 1980 until his death.
Early life
Kenneth Edward Untener was born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in 1937, and was the seventh of nine children. His family lived on Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
where his father worked. Untener attended the Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, followed by St. John's Seminary near Plymouth, Michigan
Plymouth, Michigan
Plymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,132 at the 2010 census. The City of Plymouth is an enclave completely surrounded by Plymouth Charter Township, Michigan.-Geography:...
.
He was an active athlete, playing sports such as golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, and handball
American handball
American handball is a sport in which players hit a small rubber ball against a wall using their hands.- History :...
. It was while playing the last that Untener broke his right leg, only a year before his ordination. Due to complications caused by a genetic deformity, doctors amputated the leg below the knee, and Untener wore a prosthesis
Prosthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
for the remainder of his life.
Ordination
Untener was ordainedOrdination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in 1963. After his ordination, he served in Detroit for a time, and then studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, earning a doctorate. He returned to the United States, taught for a period at Sacred Heart Seminary, and eventually became the rector of St. John's Seminary in 1977.
Bishop
In 1980, Untener was named the fourth Bishop of Saginaw. His consecrationConsecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
to the episcopacy immediately became embroiled in controversy, however, as area Catholics filed complaints with the Vatican about a recent workshop on sexuality
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
Untener authorized at St. John's Seminary. Detractors of the workshop claimed it promoted lewdness and promiscuity. In the time leading up to Untener's ordination, he made two trips to the Vatican to defend himself and appeal to Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
that he should become bishop. On the second trip, Detroit Cardinal John Dearden came with him and publicly gave his support.
Untener was consecrated bishop on November 24, 1980, aged 43. Untener later stated of the ordeal, "Having experienced that right away freed me of the burden of trying to be held in favor."
Bishop Untener was roundly praised by his peers for his ability to manage his diocese, develop leadership skills in priests and laity, and delegate responsibilities. His approach allowed him the freedom to travel, teach, and give speeches regularly. Untener was frequently asked to speak to priests and ministers due to his reputation for a deep understanding of the scripture. Despite holding views that the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
deemed controversial, he maintained positive relations with them throughout his career.
Sex abuse scandal
In 1990 Untener appointed John Hammer, a priest who had admitted to molesting an altar boy in Ohio, as a parish priest at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alma Michigan and St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School as the "Maximum Authority" over the school. Hammer was later accused of more molestations, which he admitted to parishioners, and continued in office after this until he decided to resign.Equality
Bishop Untener's career was marked by a consistent focus on egalitarianismEgalitarianism
Egalitarianism is a trend of thought that favors equality of some sort among moral agents, whether persons or animals. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that equality contains the idea of equity of quality...
in the church, ministry to the poor and participative liturgy. His liberal views often put him at odds with conservative Catholics and with the Vatican. He was regarded as being sensitive to the viewpoints of liberal Catholics. His overall view was that one should keep an open mind, consider the logic of one's actions and how they affect the church, and reflect openly over controversial issues. He frequently derided the Vatican for avoiding debate on real issues that potentially harmed the entire church.
Diversity
Untener frequently observed that JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
kept quite diverse company in his lifetime, including many people who were unwelcome in the synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
s of the time. Untener felt that modern Catholics should adopt this view in welcoming people into their own parishes. He was noted for his advocation of helping the poor, and his emphasis that needy people should be treated equally and not judged for their worthiness of help. He spoke out for women's rights in society and in the church, although never outright endorsing the ordination of women as priests.
Untener has been credited with writing the prayer, "We are prophets of a future not our own." This poem, often attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero
Óscar Romero
Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was a bishop of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. He became the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador, succeeding Luis Chávez. He was assassinated on 24 March 1980....
, was delivered by Cardinal John Francis Dearden in November 1979.
Birth control
Some of the more controversial issues that Untener addressed were modern church attitudes toward birth controlBirth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
and abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. He occasionally lamented that the church was moving toward "corporate severity" instead of a more accepting state of mind. He was an outspoken critic of the church's ban on artificial birth control
Birth control
Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
. He collaborated on writing about abortion issues, and advocated for developing programs that openly addressed abortion issues faced by families. Some referred to his views as "ultra-liberal", while others argued that Untener simply liked to question things, even when doing so was difficult or controversial.
Liturgy
Untener also organized a series of preaching seminars for priests. At the 1993 National Conference of Bishops, Untener reportedly interrupted the proceedings by commenting on how many people felt bored during Mass. Untener told a reporter, "They were talking about the niceties of phrases - debating whether `prince' or `ruler' was a better word to use in the lectionary..." Untener stood up and shouted, "The biggest problem is not whether we use `prince' or `ruler.' The biggest problem is the Mass is boring for most people." Untener encouraged priests to stick to one point in their homilies and to keep their talks at seven minutes or less.Poverty
Untener's easygoing personality and free nature manifested themselves in many ways, often to comic effect. Upon his consecration, he sold the bishop's mansion and began a career-long practice of living for periods of time in the various rectoriesRectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
of his priests. He was known to have hosted a cherry stone spitting contest at the diocese every spring. Another example was a line he delivered during a greeting at the Saginaw Civic Center after his consecration: "Hello, I'm Ken, and I'll be your waiter." Untener also was made an honorary member of the Saginaw Gears hockey team in the early 1980s and took to the ice in a Gears jersey but was unable to help the team win; he also played hockey regularly with friends for many years after becoming a bishop.
Nearly three years after Untener's death, some of his reflections were collected in a book, The Practical Prophet: Pastoral Writings.
Death
After a period of illness, Bishop Untener died at the age of 66 of a form of leukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
on March 27, 2004. His death was a shock to many people, as it had only been announced six weeks prior that he suffered from leukemia.
His funeral mass was celebrated in Saginaw and included a homily by Archbishop John R. Quinn
John R. Quinn
John Raphael Quinn is a Roman Catholic bishop, currently the Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Francisco; he served as the archdiocese's sixth archbishop from 1977 to 1995...
of San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
.