Background
Kucera, Daniel William was born on May 7, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Joseph F. and Lillian C. (Petrzelka) Kucera.
abbot archbishop bishop Catholic priest
Kucera, Daniel William was born on May 7, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Joseph F. and Lillian C. (Petrzelka) Kucera.
Bachelor, St. Procopius College, 1945. Master of Arts, Catholic University America, 1950. Doctor of Philosophy, Catholic University America, 1954.
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.
He served in various administrative positions at Saint Procopius College until he was named the college"s president
On July 8, 1964 he was elected Abbot of Saint Procopius Abbey and received his abbatial blessing on August 19, 1964. He served as abbot until June 1, 1971 when he resigned to became the college"s president again.
On June 6, 1977, Pope Paul VI named Kucera Titular Bishop of Natchesium and Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet. He was consecrated 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.
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 Saint Joseph of Concordia decided they were no longer able to continue ownership. The college closed in 1989.
On December 20, 1983 Pope John Paul II appointed 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.
Kucera set about reorganizing 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.
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 Saint Raphael"s Cathedral.
In 1994, he requested the appointment of a coadjutor.
Bishop Jerome Hanus of Saint Cloud was assigned as Coadjutor On October 16, 1995 Pope John Paul II accepted Kucera"s resignation, and he was named Archbishop Emeritus. As of 2013, Kucera is retired and has moved back to Dubuque after living in Aurora, Colorado for a number of years.
Member of Knights of Columbus (4 degree).