Daniel Kucera

Archbishop Daniel William Kucera, OSB, PhD (born May 7, 1923) is a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop Emeritus of Dubuque.

Early Life & Ministry

Kucera was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 7, 1923 and given the name William.^[1] His parents were Joseph F. and Lillian (Petrzelka) Kucera.

Kucera was educated at St. Procopious College (now known as Benedictine University) in Lisle, Illinois.^[2] He took the religious name of Daniel when he professed religious vows June 16, 1944 at St. Procopius Abbey in the Order of Saint Benedict. On May 26, 1949 he was ordained a priest. Kucera earned a doctorate in education from The Catholic University of America in 1954. His background in education has led Vatican officials — including the Pope — to ask his advice on educational matters.^[1] He served in various administrative positions at St. Procopius College until he was named the college's president. On July 8, 1964 he was elected Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey and received his abbatial blessing on August 19, 1964.^[3] He served as abbot until June 1, 1971 when he resigned to became the college's president again.^[2]

On June 6, 1977, Pope Paul VI named Kucera Titular Bishop of Natchesium and Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet. He was ordained a bishop by Bishop Romeo Roy Blanchette of Joliet. Bishops Andrew Gregory Grutka of Gary and Raymond James Vonesh, Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet, served as primary co-consecrators.^[4]

Bishop of Salina

On March 5, 1980 Pope John Paul II appointed Kucera as the eighth bishop of Salina, in the state of Kansas. He was formally installed in Sacred Heart Cathedral on May 7, 1980 by Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker of Kansas City in Kansas. During his three years as bishop of the diocese the Diocesan Office of Planning, the Bishop's Council for Catholic Education and the Office of Youth Ministries were established. The diocese hired a business manager, and the chancery and other administrative offices of the diocese were moved to a larger buildiing downtown. Marymount College in Salina became a diocesan institution after the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia decided they were no longer able to continue ownership.^[5] The college closed in 1989.

Archbishop of Dubuque

On December 20, 1983 Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Kucera as the tenth bishop and eighth archbishop of Dubuque. He was installed as Archbishop on February 23, 1984 at the Five Flags Civic Center in Dubuque. One of the first decisions he made was to sell the ornate episcopal residence and move to a more modest house in Dubuque.^[6]

Archbishop Kucera set about reorganizing the archdiocese. This was accomplished by reorganizing or creating archdiocesan boards, and established the first Archbishop's Cabinet to coordinate the running of the archdiocese. The archdiocese was divided into three regions: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo with a bishop in each region. The number of deaneries were reduced from 16 to 14. Kucera appointed a woman religious chancellor, and two lay people were named to archdiocesan offices.^[6] He also had revised guidelines for the Sacrament of Confirmation published in 1986. On November 30, 1986 Kucera issued a proclamation announcing the 150th anniversary of the archdiocese's founding. Various celebrations were held throughout the following year including a large scale liturgy at the Five Flags Center celebrated by Archbishop Pio Laghi, the Papal Pro-Nuncio to the United States. He also approved a controversial renovation of St. Raphael's Cathedral.^[6]

In 1994, he requested the appointment of a coadjutor. Bishop Jerome Hanus of Saint Cloud was assigned as Coadjutor Archbishop of Dubuque. On October 16, 1995 Pope John Paul II accepted Archbishop Kucera's resignation, and he was named Archbishop Emeritus. Archbishop Kucera is currently retired and recently moved back to Dubuque after living in Aurora, Colorado for a number of years.