Former Archbishop of Indianapolis Dies

(photo courtesy Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology)

The Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology in Spencer County says former Archbishop of Indianapolis Daniel Buechlein has died. Buechlein led the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1992 until 2011, when he resigned due to health issues. He was 79.

Buechlein is also a former president-rector of Saint Meinrad School of Theology and was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee in 1987 by Pope John Paul II. He was named the fifth archbishop of Indianapolis in July 1992.

During his tenure as archbishop, enrollment at Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ Catholic schools increased 30 percent. Buechlein was also responsible for improving the financial health of the archdiocese by raising $300 million through various capital campaigns.

Buechlein established the ministry of permanent diaconate in the archdiocese in 2003 and the Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis in 2004. The archdiocese also opened the 30,000-square-foot Holy Family Shelter, serving homeless families, in 2009.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.