Background

Stephen Paul Happel was born on August 8, 1944, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. He was the son of Hermann Ernst and Jane Rita (Connor) Happel.

Education

Finishing his undergraduate work at the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in 1966, Stephen Happel went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in English literature from Indiana University Bloomington in 1969, a Licentiate of Sacred Theology degree from the Catholic University of America in 1970, a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Institute of Philosophy of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium in 1973, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1977 and a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in 1979 from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium.

Career

Ordained a priest in 1970, Stephen Happel was a pastor in Indianapolis for a year before embarking on an academic career. From 1973 till 1978 he was an assistant professor of theology at the Catholic University of America. Then he joined the faculty at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology for five years as an associate professor of systematic theology. In 1983 he returned to the Catholic University of America as an associate professor of religion and culture. Then he chaired the religion department from 1994 to 1999 and was made dean of the School of Religious Studies in 1999.

In 2002 Happel was made a theological consultant to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. This work led to his being made a Monsignor by Pope John Paul II that year.

Happel was also the author of several books, including Coleridge's Religious Imagination (1983), A Catholic Vision (1984), written with David Tracy, and Metaphors for God's Time in Science and Religion (2002).

Achievements

• Stephen Happel was an acknowledged educator and theologist respected for his knowledge of the foundational teachings of the Church and for his gift for addressing necessary tasks with dispatch, and yet with all due regard. He was named a Monsignor and Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II. He was also listed as a noteworthy university dean by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Metaphors for God's Time in Science and Religion

    (Metaphors for God's Time in Science and Religion examines...)

    2002
  • Coleridge's Religious Imagination 1983
  • A Catholic Vision 1984
  • Conversion and Discipleship: A Christian Foundation for Ethics and Doctrine 1986

Views

Quotations: "Reality is intrinsically relational because God is present as inner relationality."

Membership

Stephen Happel was a fellow of Society for the Arts, Religion, and Contemporary Culture and a member of the Modern Language Association, American Academy of Religion and Catholic Theological Society of America.

Personality

Physical Characteristics: The cause of Stephen Happel's death was a heart attack.

Quotes from others about the person

• "That memorable laugh of Stephen's resounded with his passion for life. A brilliant, deeply spiritual, and complex man with an insatiable curiosity, Stephen found the world marvelous. Eager to explore, experiment, and sample, Stephen took pleasure in sharing his life with family, friends, and colleagues. He was as ready to join in the fun, as he was to listen to problems and offer solace and advice without making judgments." - Irena S. M. Makarushka
  
  "Generous, compassionate, and expansive to a fault, Stephen strove to make the world a better, more beautiful, and more humane place." - Irena S. M. Makarushka
  
  "Among Stephen's greatest gifts was his ability to make everyone feel that they were unique and held a privileged place in his life." - Irena S. M. Makarushka
  
  "Monsignor Happel had unusual abilities in bringing disparate or antagonistic parties together for a cause shared in common but previously unrecognized." - Frank Burch Brown
  
  "People were Stephen's ultimate puzzle and favorite subject." - Stephen Happel's brother David

Interests

• philosophy, religion, art, music, literature, beaches, deserts, flowers, good food, wine

• Sport & Clubs

  jogging

Connections

Father:

Hermann Ernst Happel

Mother:

Jane Rita (Connor) Happel