Date of death: 5/20/2011

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1980

Father Buckel, 59, was a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and had retired from teaching at Saint Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, IN. Fr. Buckel had been a Professor of Scripture whose area of specialization was Pauline theology. Born in 1951 in Indianapolis, he was the fifth of thirteen children.After receiving an Associates Degree in Electronics Engineering, he was employed for two years at the Indiana University School of Medicine as an Electronic Technician. Entering the seminary in 1973, Fr. Buckel majored in philosophy at Saint Meinrad College. He then pursued graduate studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in Louvain, Belgium earning the STB/MA degree.Fr. Buckel was ordained in 1980 and then appointed Associate Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis. He was the subject of a feature article in the May, 1985 issue of Columbia magazine for his work with the RCIA. Returning to Louvain in 1985, he received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies magna cum laude. Fr. Buckel’s dissertation was entitled: The Curse of the Law. An Exegetical Investigation of Galatians 3:10-14.” In 1979 he taught courses in Old Testament theology at Opus Spiritu Sancti Graduate Theology Seminary in Tanzania, Africa.Fr. Buckel was also involved in pastoral ministry in Belgium, Germany, Holland, England, and France. He was an active member in the Catholic Biblical Association, Society of Biblical Literature, and the Catholic Theological Society of America. Fr. Buckel taught a variety of courses pertaining to the New Testament including: An Introduction to the New Testament, the Gospel of John, Paul and His Theology, the Book of Revelation, Preaching, Teaching and Praying the Lectionary, New Testament Greek, the Infancy Narratives and the Passion Narratives. He presented numerous lectures concerning the New Testament throughout the United States and Canada. Fr. Buckel offered reflections on Scripture on both radio and television as well as in religious publications. For a time, he wrote a regular column for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ newspaper, The Criterion. His article “Paul’s Defense of Christian Liberty in Galatians” appeared in the spring, 1992 issue of Louvain Studies. Fr. Buckel’s book, Free to Love: Paul’s Defense of Christian Liberty in Galatians, was published by Eerdmans in 1993. He is survived by 12 brothers and sisters, Mary Louise (Gary) Hinderliter, Jean Ann (Michael) Schoettle, Kathleen “”Kay”” (James) Beeson, Teresa (Jerome) Smith, Anne M. (Nathaniel) Schoettle, Marjorie M. (Robert) Bostick, Robert F. (Martha) Buckel, Patricia J. (Walter) Lamperski, Joan Marie (Daniel) Lutgring, Larry J. (Maryjo) Buckel, Judith Ann (Robert) Parrett, James M. (Pamela) Buckel; 87 nieces and nephews and 89 great nieces and great nephews.Information obtained from the Indianapolis Star online, www.indystar.com”””