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  Parishioners Told of Abuse Allegation against Priest

By Christy Arboscello
Detroit Free Press
April 25, 2009

http://www.freep.com/article/20090425/NEWS03/90425051/Parishioners+told+of+abuse+allegation+against+priest+

Parishioners at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Royal Oak were told today at Mass that Rev. Kenneth Kaucheck has officially resigned following a claim of sexual misconduct from early in his vocation.

In the final minutes of worship, Msgr. Ricardo Bass emerged to announce to the well-attended, spacious church that a credible complaint had been made against Kaucheck. The woman, who came forward in late January with the allegation, was a minor at the time, Bass said.

The monsignor said he was sent by Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron to notify parishioners at St. Mary's and St. James Catholic Church in Ferndale — where Kaucheck also served — of the matter.

He declined to say when the abuse took place, but noted it was before the 62-year-old priest was at either of the Oakland county churches.

Kaucheck, who was ordained in 1976, previously served churches in Clawson, Detroit, Dearborn Troy and Grosse Pointe Woods.

After Mass, longtime parishioner Nancy Kerre couldn't believe her ears.

"He was an awesome pastor," Kerre said, adding she never heard anything disparaging said against him. "Father Kaucheck is loved by everyone."

Another churchgoer, who declined to give her name, remarked: "In this day and age, anything happens."

Rev. John Hall, a retired priest in the archdiocese, is slated to serve as administrator of the churches until summer.

Anyone with complaints involving the sexual abuse of minors by clergy or church personnel is asked to call the victim assistance coordinator at 866-343-8055.

 
 

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