Profile Facts
- Name
- Dennis Kucharczyk
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Ordained
- 1985
- Status
- Accused
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Grooming by a trusted priest can be difficult to recognize, especially when it begins in childhood. The clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC help Michigan survivors name what happened to them and pursue justice.
This page summarizes the reported allegations against Father Dennis Kucharczyk, a priest of the Diocese of Saginaw who was suspended in 2019 over alleged misconduct with a minor years earlier. The account below comes from published diocesan records. These are accusations, which Father Kucharczyk has denied; the diocese found boundary violations but insufficient evidence to proceed further after a canonical process. Survivors may still discuss civil options with White Law PLLC in confidence.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw
The Diocese of Saginaw is one of Michigan’s seven dioceses, along with the Archdiocese of Detroit and the dioceses of Marquette, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Kalamazoo. Since the Michigan Attorney General opened a statewide clergy abuse investigation in 2018, the way dioceses handle complaints, including suspending priests during inquiries, has faced public scrutiny. A Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer can explain how a diocese’s response to a complaint affects a survivor’s civil claim.
Father Kucharczyk served at a Midland parish where the reported misconduct allegedly began when the accuser was in first or second grade. Grooming behavior that starts in childhood and continues for years is a pattern seen in many clergy abuse cases.
The Allegations Against Father Dennis Kucharczyk
Suspension and Investigation
Published records indicate that Dennis Kucharczyk was ordained in 1985. Police informed the diocese in March 2018 of allegations against him, and he was suspended in May 2019 for reported misconduct with a minor years ago. His accuser said she had contacted a nun with the Office of Child and Youth Protection around 2010 but received no response.
The woman alleged that, beginning when she was a first- or second-grader at a Midland parish in the 1980s, Kucharczyk hugged and kissed her on the cheek, held her hand, gave her small gifts, and once had her sit on his lap in a darkened classroom, putting his arms around her waist and his hands on her inner thighs. She said his behavior continued for years, including affectionate letters, emails, and texts, and that he officiated at her wedding, where she said he kissed her on the lips.
Diocesan Findings
Kucharczyk denied the allegations. The diocese determined there were boundary violations but, after a canonical process, not enough evidence to proceed further. His name was added to the diocesan accused list in 2019 and removed in March 2021. These remain accusations, and the removal from the list does not resolve the underlying factual questions. Survivors with similar experiences can still seek legal counsel about civil claims.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Two different legal tracks can follow an abuse report. In a criminal case, the state prosecutes and must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; the goal is punishment. In a civil case, the survivor sues for damages under the lower preponderance standard; the goal is compensation and accountability.
Criminal Cases
Criminal charges are filed at prosecutors’ discretion. Many clergy abuse reports never result in charges, particularly when the alleged conduct occurred decades earlier or when evidence is limited to conflicting accounts.
Civil Lawsuits
Civil lawsuits give survivors control over their own claims. They may name the priest and the diocese, especially where the church was told of misconduct, through police or its own child protection office, and failed to respond adequately.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Michigan Legislature §600.5805 generally requires civil sexual abuse lawsuits to be filed within ten years of the abuse or before the survivor turns 28, whichever is later. Michigan law sets no time limit for first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
Survivors of childhood grooming often do not recognize the behavior as abuse until adulthood, which is one reason disclosure can take decades. An attorney can evaluate the timeline of your case and advise whether the statute of limitations has run or whether a claim may still proceed.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Civil claims may provide compensation for medical and therapy costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Survivors can pursue claims against the priest and against the diocese or institution where officials knew or should have known of the misconduct, failed to prevent it, covered it up, or failed to properly screen, train, and supervise clergy.
If Father Kucharczyk harmed you or a loved one, contact White Law PLLC for a confidential consultation at (517) 316-1195. The firm is located at .
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.