Archbishop Allen Vigneron | Archdiocese of Detriot

Following a June 27, 2024 ruling by the Vatican’s highest court, the Apostolic Signatura, the restriction the Archdiocese of Detroit placed on Father Kenneth R. Kaucheck in September 2020, which prevented him from celebrating Mass publicly without prior permission, was lifted. As a result of this ruling, Father Kaucheck was no longer restricted from public ministry.

Father Kaucheck received the news shortly before he passed away from cancer on July 18, 2024.

The restriction, imposed in September 2020, required Father Kaucheck to obtain permission from the Archbishop of Detroit or one of his delegates before presiding at or concelebrating Mass in any public setting. Father Kaucheck had appealed this restriction through the Church’s standard process.

Father Kaucheck had previously appealed another set of limitations placed upon his ministry resulting from clergy discipline matters from the earlier years of his ministry. In both instances, the Vatican’s highest court ruled in Father Kaucheck’s favor.

The Archdiocese of Detroit was directed to reimburse Father Kaucheck for the costs he incurred in presenting his cases to the Vatican.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Father Kaucheck at St. Anastasia Church in Troy on Wednesday, July 31.