Michael Joseph Kaniecki

Michael Joseph Kaniecki, SJ (April 13, 1935 – August 6, 2000) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks in Alaska from 1985 to 2000.^[1]

His Excellency, The Most Reverend Michael Joseph Kaniecki SJ
Bishop of Fairbanks
See	Diocese of Fairbanks
Quashed	May 1, 1984 - August 6, 2000
Predecessor	Robert Louis Whelan
Successor	Donald Joseph Kettler
Orders
Ordination	June 5, 1965 by Francis Valentine Allen
Consecration	May 1, 1984 by Robert Whelan
Personal details
Born	(1935-04-13)April 13, 1935 Detroit, Michigan, US
Died	August 6, 2000(2000-08-06) (aged 65) Emmonak, Alaska, US
Denomination	Roman Catholic

Biography

Michael Kaniecki was born on April 13, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan. He professed religious vows as a Jesuit, and was ordained a priest for the Society of Jesus by Bishop Francis Valentine Allen on June 5, 1965.

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Fairbanks

On March 8, 1984, Pope John Paul II named Kaniecki to be the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks. He was consecrated on May 1, 1984, by Bishop Robert Whelan. The co-consecrators were Archbishop Francis Hurley and Bishop Michael Kenny. Kaniecki automatically became bishop of Fairbanks on June 1, 1985, with the resignation of Bishop Whelan; Kaniecki was installed on July 28, 1985.^[2]

Kaniecki was known for his frequent "Letters to the Editor" sent to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner condemning homosexuality.

Kaniecki served the diocese for a total of 16 years. Michael Kaniecki died suddenly on August 6, 2000, of a massive heart attack before celebrating a mass in Emmonak, Alaska.^[3]