This web site is a memorial to those individuals who were passionate about the reform of the
Roman Catholic liturgy as set forth in Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
and who now, in eternal life, worship the God whom they served in this life.

Kenneth Untener

Kenneth Edward Untener
August 3, 1937 - March 27, 2004

Bishop Kenneth Edward Untener was born Aug. 3, 1937, in Detroit. He attended St. Charles Borromeo grade and high schools in Detroit, Sacred Heart Seminary College in Detroit, and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Mich.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John F. Dearden in 1963.

In the Detroit Archdiocese, he served as assistant pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish in Detroit, as assistant chancellor for the archdiocese, and assistant vicar for parishes. For several years, he was co-host of a weekly television program entitled “Dialogue” on which he engaged in discussion with various Protestant Ministers.

From 1969 to 1971, he was assigned to graduate theological studies at the Gregorian University in Rome where he obtained his doctorate in theology. He returned to Detroit in 1971, and was appointed assistant to the Delegate for the Clergy Office in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

In 1977, he was appointed Rector of St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, Mich.

In November of 1980, he became fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw.

Shortly after his arrival in Saginaw, he sold the bishop’s mansion, and spent the next 23 years moving from parish to parish. Over the years, he had made 69 moves throughout the 11-county diocese.

His articles have appeared in various periodicals. He wrote two books, "Sunday Liturgy Can Be Better" and "Preaching Better". Practical Suggestions for Homilists. More recently, he wrote a popular series of Little Books for Advent, Lent and Easter, as well as for stewardship. In the books, he encouraged people to spend six minutes a day in prayer while meditating on Scriptural passages.

Over the years, he served as a member of several committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including the Committee on the Liturgy, the Committee on the Laity, and the Committee on Pastoral Research and Practices, and on the board of the National Catholic Telecommunications Network.

Bishop Untener regularly gave retreats to priests and theological/pastoral talks throughout the country, including Alaska, and in Australia and throughout the world. Bishop Untener loved sports of all kinds, especially playing hockey, racquetball and golf.