Kenneth Edward Untener

After a period of illness, Kenneth Untener died at age 66 of a form of leukemia 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. Three years after his death, some of Untener's reflections were collected in a book, The Practical Prophet: Pastoral Writings.

In 2002, an Ohio man accused a priest in the Diocese of Saginaw of sexually molesting him as a minor during the 1980s. The priest was John Hammer, pastor of St. Mary's parish in Alma, Michigan. In the early 1980s, Hammer was serving in a parish in the Diocese of Youngstown in Ohio. After the accusations were made, he was removed from ministry and sent for treatment at a facility in Maryland for several years. In 1990, he petitioned Untener for a transfer to the Diocese of Saginaw, admitting his guilt and asking for another chance.

Before accepting Hammer, Untener requested two medical opinions about his fitness to return to ministry. When he received a positive report, Untener accepted the transfer, but partnered him with a senior priest for observation. Hammer was sent to Mt. St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis, Michigan and then to St. Mary's. Untener did not notify either parish of Hammer's record. When the victim came forward in 2002, Hammer admitted his guilt at St. Mary's He was removed from ministry and later laicized.

In 2000, Untener created the first Little Black Book, which followed lectio divina (divine reading) to help people spend pray to God. He soon decided to create similar versions of the book for the seasons of Easter (The Little White Book), and Advent/Christmas (The Little Blue Book).

Untener also organized a series of preaching seminars for priests. At the 1993 National Conference of Bishops meeting, 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.

In 1980, Pope Paul II appointed Untener as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw. After his appointment, some people filed complaints with the Vatican about a recent workshop for seminarians on sexuality that Untener had authorized at St. John's Seminary. The claim was that the workshop promoted lewdness and promiscuity. Untener made two trips to the Vatican and appeal to the pope. On the second trip, Detroit Cardinal John Dearden accompanied Untener, publicly supporting him. Untener was consecrated bishop on November 24, 1980. Untener later stated of the ordeal, "Having experienced that right away freed me of the burden of trying to be held in favor."

Upon his consecration, Untener sold the bishop's mansion and began a career-long practice of living for periods of time in the various rectories of the diocese with his priests. 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.

In 1979, Untener wrote a homily for Cardinal Dearden that included the poetic reflection, "We are prophets of a future not our own." Dearden delivered the homily at a Mass for Deceased Priests on October 25, 1979. The phrase later became associated with the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero, acquiring the title "the Romero Prayer". Pope Francis quoted this reflection verbatim in his remarks to the Roman Curia on December 21, 2015.

Untener was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Detroit by Bishop John Dearden on June 1, 1963 in Detroit. After his ordination, Untener 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 at Sacred Heart Seminary, and eventually became the rector of St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan in 1977.

Untener played golf, ice hockey, and handball. In 1962, while playing handball, he broke his right leg. Due to complications from a genetic deformity to his ankle, doctors were forced to amputate his leg below the knee. Untener wore a prosthesis for the rest of his life. Untener had this view of the amputation

Kenneth Edward Untener (August 3, 1937 – March 27, 2004) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan from 1980 until his death in 2004

Kenneth Untener was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 3, 1937, the seventh of nine children. His family lived on Belle Isle, where his father for the recreation department. Kenneth Untener attended the Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, followed by St. John's Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan.