Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein

1938 - 2018

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein

St. Meinrad

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB, 79, monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey and archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, died at 12:20 a.m. on January 25, 2018, in the monastery infirmary.

He is survived by his brother, Charles, of Jasper, IN; and nieces and nephews.

He was born in Jasper, IN, on April 20, 1938, to Carl and Rose (Blessinger) Buechlein and given the name Marcus George.

He joined the monastery on August 14, 1958, and professed his simple vows on August 15, 1959, taking the name Daniel. He made his solemn vows on August 15, 1962. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1964.

After his ordination, Fr. Daniel spent two years in Rome, earning a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a specialization in liturgy at the International Benedictine University of Sant' Anselmo.

Returning to Saint Meinrad in 1966, he served as assistant dean of students and chairman of the Division of Religion at Saint Meinrad College. In 1971 he was director of the first national conference for seminary spiritual directors, and coordinated the founding of the Midwest Association of Seminary Spiritual Directors.

That same year, he began 16 years of service as president-rector of Saint Meinrad School of Theology, the last five of which he also served as president-rector of Saint Meinrad College. He also taught courses on priestly ministry and spirituality.

On January 20, 1987, Pope St. John Paul II appointed Fr. Daniel as the third bishop of the Diocese of Memphis, TN. His ordination and installation took place on March 2, 1987.

On July 13, 1992, Pope St. John Paul appointed Bishop Daniel to succeed the Most Rev. Edward T. O'Meara as archbishop of Indianapolis. On September 9, he was installed as archbishop in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

During his 19 years as shepherd of Indianapolis, Archbishop Daniel worked to strengthen the archdiocese's pastoral, spiritual and financial health. He was especially interested in promoting Catholic education, young adult ministry, and vocations to priesthood and the religious life.

Under his leadership, enrollment in the archdiocese's Catholic schools increased 30 percent to more than 25,000 students, reversing a 25-year decline. Innovative partnerships with Lilly Endowment Inc., campaigns to help fund new education initiatives, and the support of the business community led to improved student performance, which the U.S. Department of Education recognized by awarding 26 archdiocesan schools with Blue Ribbon awards for excellence.

Archbishop Daniel garnered support to keep Catholic schools in the Indianapolis center-city open to serve students from low-income families and the growing immigrant population. He also led the effort to build two new grade schools in the center-city. He expanded the archdiocese's ministry to young adults by starting a Theology on Tap program, adding new college campus ministry programs, and creating new archdiocesan staff positions to provide outreach to young adults.

In 2003, Archbishop Daniel established the ministry of permanent diaconate in the archdiocese. The first class of 25 deacons was ordained in 2008, and the ministry continues to flourish.

He founded the Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis in 2004, to prepare college seminarians for major seminary. Today, the seminary has nearly 50 seminarians from 10 dioceses.

Archbishop Daniel also expanded the services of Catholic Charities and social outreach ministries of the archdiocese. In 2009, the archdiocese opened a shelter for homeless families, Holy Family Shelter, on the west side of Indianapolis.

The archdiocese's financial health also improved under Archbishop Daniel's management. During his tenure, the archdiocese raised $300 million through the annual stewardship appeal and capital campaigns to pay for building projects and ministry needs in the archdiocese.

After a series of significant budget deficits, Archbishop Daniel guided the archdiocese back to firm financial footing and break-even budgets. He also oversaw the dramatic growth of the Catholic Community Foundation, which oversees the archdiocese's endowments. During his tenure, 337 endowment funds with a value of more than $100 million were established.

Shortly after suffering a stroke on March 18, 2011, he sent a letter to the Holy Father asking, for reasons of health, to resign from his responsibilities as archbishop and to return to Saint Meinrad.

He continued his office of teaching as his health permitted, publishing in 2013 the book, Surprised by Grace: Memories and Reflections After 25 Years of Episcopal Ministry.

The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis. Visitation will be at the cathedral Tuesday, January 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. before the funeral. (These times are Eastern Time.)

Following the funeral, the body will be transferred to Saint Meinrad Archabbey, where the Office of the Dead will be prayed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 31, in the Archabbey Church. Visitation will be from 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday, February 1. At 10 a.m. Thursday, Mass will be celebrated, followed by burial in the Archabbey Cemetery. (These times are Central Time.)