Allen Henry Vigneron (born October 21, 1948) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit in Michigan and Ecclesiastical Superior of the Cayman Islands, serving since 2009. Vigneron previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Oakland in California from 2003 to 2009 and as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit from 1996 to 2003. Biography Early life The eldest of six children, Allen Vigneron was born on October 21, 1948, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, to Elwin and Bernardine (née Kott) Vigneron. He is of French descent on his father's side and German descent on his mother's. He graduated from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 1970, receiving degrees in both Philosophy and Classical Languages. He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1973. Priesthood Upon his return to Detroit, Vigneron was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John Dearden on July 26, 1975 at St. Clement of Rome Church in Romeo, Michigan. He then served as associate pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Harper Woods, Michigan. He returned to Rome, obtaining his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University in 1977. After returning to Michigan, he resumed his pastoral work in suburban Detroit. Vigneron completed his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1987 with a dissertation on the philosopher Edmund Husserl. In 1985, Vigneron was appointed professor at Sacred Heart Seminary, becoming dean in 1988. From 1991 to 1994, Vigneron served in Rome as an official in the Vatican Secretariat of State and as adjunct instructor at the Gregorian University. He then returned to Sacred Heart Seminary as its rector. While at Sacred Heart, Vigneron removed several teachers that he perceived as straying from church dogma. Vigneron was raised by Pope John Paul II to the rank of monsignor in 1994. Episcopate Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit On June 12, 1996, John Paul II appointed Vigneron as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit and titular bishop of Sault Sainte Marie. He was consecrated on July 9, 1996 by Cardinal Adam Maida, with Cardinal James Hickey and Cardinal Edmund Szoka serving as co-consecrators. Bishop of Oakland Vigneron was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Oakland