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Archdiocese asks Vatican to punish local priest

Posted at 6:34 PM, Apr 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 18:34:05-04

A catholic priest banned from public ministry after he was accused of sexual misconduct with a teen has been caught ministering to young girls.

Now, the 7 investigators have learned the Archdiocese of Detroit is appealing to the Vatican to have him punished.

Father Kenneth kaucheck has never been charged with a crime, but an alleged inappropriate relationship from decades ago is coming back to haunt him.

Kaucheck was forced to resign from the priesthood 7 years ago over a decades old allegation of sexual misconduct.

He was accused of carrying on a relationship with a 16-year-old girl he was counseling at a Clawson parish back in 1976.

The Archdiocese of Detroit barred Kaucheck from public ministry.

While the teen was of age in 1976 and the priest never charged with a crime, it still violated church protocol and raised concerns.

Paula Schnoblen with the Macomb County based group Turning Point, which advocates for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

She and others were shocked to learn. Father Kaucheck has been quietly surrounding himself with troubled teenage girls.  He is co-founder, Director of Development and on the board of directors at Gianna House - an Eastpointe based ministry for pregnant teens.

He is overseeing the building of a boarding house of sorts where girls and their newborns will live.  Some says that questionable considering his past.

The Archdiocese of Detroit is taking it a step further, telling the 7 Investigators in a statement that they consider this a violation of the restrictions placed on his ministry and clergy at the Vatican will address the violation.

We attempted to talk to Father Kaucheck at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills where he is said to reside.  Staff told us no comment and we should film their beautiful grounds instead.

The priest still retains his title and continues to be paid by the Catholic Church.

The Vatican will be charged with determining a punishment, if he is found guilty of violating the restrictions put on him. That could include stripping him of his title and living expenses.