Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk

This page outlines the parish assignments, substantiated allegations, and institutional actions concerning Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk, included as part of the Injury Lawyer Team’s legal representation of child sexual abuse survivors in Michigan. 

• Primary Entity Name: Dennis Kucharczyk
• Common Variations / Aliases: Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Associate Pastor, Pastor
• Current Status: Accused

Public Identification and Clergy Status

Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk was publicly accused of sexual abuse by the Diocese of Saginaw. The diocese placed him on a list of credibly accused clergy members in 2019, then removed him in 2021 following an internal review supported by a private investigator. Kucharczyk is not included in any Attorney General reports, and there is not yet a publicly available investigation into the Diocese of Saginaw.

• Entity that Listed Him: Diocese of Saginaw, later removed
• Reason for Listing: One accusation of inappropriate conduct with a minor, later found insubstantial

Key Status Facts

Ordination Year: 1985

Years in Active Ministry: 1985–2019

Locations Where He Served: Diocese of Saginaw

Restrictions: Was placed on administrative leave in 2019, then removed in 2021

Public Disclosure: Placed on the Diocese of Saginaw’s list of credibly accused clergy members, but was removed in 2021

Number of Survivors: One, as per public reports

Assignment History

Primary Diocese: Diocese of Saginaw

Parish Assignments (as documented in public reports):

• Saints Peter & Paul — Saginaw, MI (October 27, 1985–July 14, 1986)
• St. Anne — Linwood, MI (July 14, 1986–July 14, 1988)
• Blessed Sacrament — Midland, MI (July 14, 1988–June 1, 1991)
• Leave of absence (June 1, 1991–July 14, 1993)
• St. Roch — Caseville, MI (July 14, 1993–July 18, 2001)
• St. Felix — Pinnebog, MI (July 14, 1993–July 18, 2001)
• Sacred Heart — Caro, MI (July 18, 2001–June 30, 2015)
• St. John XXIII — Hemlock, Merill, and Ryan, MI (June 30, 2015–May 19, 2019)

Non-Church Assignments: Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk also served as a military chaplain; however, details regarding his deployments are unavailable.  

Known Allegations

Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk was accused of an inappropriate relationship with a minor beginning in the 1980s and lasting approximately 15 years. According to the unnamed survivor, Kucharczyk reportedly began grooming her when she was in first or second grade at the Blessed Sacrament parish in Midland, MI. 

The survivor alleged that Fr. Kucharczyk would hug and kiss her, hold her hand, and offer her small gifts. She also reported that the priest put his hands on her inner thighs on the last day of school.

According to survivor testimony, Fr. Kucharczyk wrote her romantically charged letters and other messages throughout this period. He also allegedly officiated at her wedding and kissed her on the lips. 

The relationship reportedly ended in 2004. The survivor contacted the Diocese of Saginaw to address the issue in 2010, but the Office of Child and Youth Protection did not respond to the allegations. 

There are no other known allegations against Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk, and there are no public reports of criminal prosecution or civil litigation arising from the accusation. 

Summary: Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk was publicly accused of an inappropriate relationship with a minor that lasted approximately 15 years. While he was placed on administrative leave for approximately two years and was listed as one of the credibly accused priests, his name was later removed. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods:

• Bishop Kenneth Edward Untener — Diocese of Saginaw
• Bishop Robert James Carlson — Diocese of Saginaw
• Bishop Joseph Robert Cistone — Diocese of Saginaw
• Bishop Robert Dwayne Gruss — Diocese of Saginaw

Institutional Actions and Review

The survivor stated that she contacted a nun with the Office of Child and Youth Protection in 2010, but did not receive a response. The police began to investigate the claims in 2018 and contacted the Diocese of Saginaw.

The Diocese of Saginaw consulted with the Michigan Department of Attorney General and placed Fr. Kucharczyk on administrative leave in 2019, pending an investigation. 

Police executed two search warrants at properties connected to the Diocese of Saginaw in 2019, seizing approximately 60 documents. The search warrant included records related to Fr. Kucharczyk’s employment. 

After receiving the allegations, the Attorney General chose not to pursue charges. The Diocese of Saginaw continued an internal investigation in consultation with a retired police detective. This report included evidence of boundary violations. After consulting the Holy See in accordance with canonical processes, the Diocese of Saginaw determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue further action. 

While the Michigan Department of Attorney General has released reports on other Michigan dioceses, there is no public report yet of the state’s investigation into the Diocese of Saginaw. 

Kucharczyk has publicly denied the allegations, though acknowledged that he did have a relationship with the person in question. He also stated that he ended the relationship around 2003 and had no further communication with the alleged victim. 

Timeline

1985 — Ordained 

1985–1991 — Held parish assignments in the Diocese of Saginaw

1988 (approx) — Alleged abuse began at Blessed Sacrament parish in Midland, MI

1991–1993 — Leave of absence

1993–2019 — Returns to parish assignments in the Diocese of Saginaw

2004 (approx) — Fr. Kucharczyk ends relationship with alleged victim

2010 — Alleged victim contacts the Office of Child and Youth Protection, accusing Fr. Kucharczyk of inappropriate conduct

2018 — Police report alleged abuse to the Diocese of Saginaw

2019 — Kucharczyk placed on administrative leave pending investigation

2021 — Kucharczyk removed from administrative leave and the list of credibly accused clergy following an investigation

Speak With an Attorney

Those harmed by Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk or other Michigan clergy members may have a legal claim. Injury Lawyer Team represents survivors of child sexual abuse across the state, respecting the sensitive nature of these investigations. Contact a Michigan clergy abuse attorney to schedule a confidential consultation about legal options. 

Sources

This page is based on public records, official Church disclosures, legal filings, and survivor reports, including the following:

• An article in the Detroit News, reporting that law enforcement was aware of the allegation against Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk prior to the Diocese of Saginaw announcing his administrative leave.
• A press release from the Diocese of Saginaw, reporting that Fr. Kucharczyk was placed on administrative leave and listing his parish assignments. 
• An article from MLive.com, listing Fr. Dennis Kucharczyk as a credibly accused priest. 
• A press release from the Diocese of Saginaw reporting on Fr. Kucharczyk’s removal from the list of credibly accused clergy.
• An article from MLive.com, reporting on a police raid on Diocese of Saginaw properties, which revealed what was stated to be a “victim list.”
• An article from MLive.com, reporting on a second police raid on the Diocese of Saginaw and reporting the diocese’s response. 
• An archived article listed on Bishop-Accountability.org, which reports that the Diocese of Saginaw removed Fr. Kucharczyk from the list of credibly accused priests and includes quotes from Kucharczyk regarding the allegations. 
• Fr. Dennis Kucharcyzk’s profile on Bishop-Accountability.org, which compiles press releases, public reports, and government documents regarding the accusations of child sexual abuse. 

No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in public court records or official Church reports.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.