The Practical Prophet: Pastoral Writings

by Ken Untener, Joseph L. Imesch (Foreword by), Elizabeth Picken (Introduction)

Ken Untener (1937-2004), bishop of the diocese of Saginaw for 24 years, was a true pastor―both a practical theologian and a prophet who, like the prophets of the Old Testament, sought to call his church back to its roots. A prolific and inspired author and speaker, his writings and talks spanned a wide variety of topics and concerns. This book is the first compilation of a large selection of his briefer writings. It is organized into six Vision and Creative Imagination, Liturgy and the Word, Ministry of Mercy, Consistent Ethic of Life, Ministry of Prophet, and The Wider Church). Each topic is introduced by Elizabeth Picken, CJ, of Bishop Ken's "Theology Squad." This eagerly awaited book will appeal to anyone interested in the church's internal concerns and in how the church relates to issues concerning the wider world. It will be of particular interest to the many admirers of Bishop Untener, and will serve as a valuable reference for liturgists, preachers, pastors, students, and teachers of any of the topics addressed in the writings. †

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

About the author

Kenneth Edward Untener (August 3, 1937 – March 27, 2004) was a Roman Catholic bishop, serving the Diocese of Saginaw from 1980 until his death.

In 1999, Bishop Ken Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw decided to create a Little Black Book, which would use the prayer tradition of Lectio Divina to help people pray the Passion of Our Lord. Besides an English version of the book, there was also a Spanish edition, and a children’s book (Little Purple Book).

Although Bishop Untener died in 2004, he remains the inspiration for the Little Books. His Little Books staff continue to produce Little Books each year for the Advent/Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, based on Bishop Untener’s writings. They are also producing four Stewardship books in light of the four Gospels.

Reviews

[Kevin W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Context: Bishop Untener was bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw from 1980-2004. He played a significant role in shaping the Diocese into what it is today. When I first joined the Diocese in 2014, I noticed that comments about him would run in one of two camps: “He was an incredibly kind-hearted, compassionate, wise, pastoral man,” or “He ruined the Diocese and wouldn’t ordain people to the priesthood until Rome decided we could ordain woman priests.” I was eager to read, in his own words, some of the key things he wrote throughout his episcopacy. In this selection of writings, you get a glimpse into his heart and his thought processes. As it turns out, many of the rumors about him were not entirely true. For instance, it appears as though he never actually prevented folks from being ordained until they allowed for women priests. Instead, he simply advocated for more dialogue on the subject and seemed to be less vocal about it after John Paul II was clear in 1994 that the Church possessed no such authority to ordain women. He advocated for lay people preaching at Mass, but that was before 2005 when it was clarified that the preaching role in the Mass was reserved for priests and deacons. Certainly he held to some theological views which were controversial and not every decision he made could be seen as the wisest, but it certainly seems as though he had a love for the poor, a love for the Church, and a love for the Lord. I wish I’d had the chance to meet him, but this book was a good introduction to dispel some rumors and hear from the man himself why he believed what he believed.