Catholic University's theology dean dies of massive heart attack

Published: 2003-10-07

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Msgr. Stephen P. Happel, dean of The Catholic University of America's School of Theology and Religious Studies, died of a heart attack Oct. 4 at his home in Washington. He was 59 years old. Upon hearing of his death, Vincentian Father David M. O'Connell, president of the university, said, "CUA has lost part of its soul today." Msgr. Happel had studied theology at the university and spent most of his teaching career there. A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 7 for the priest at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the university campus. At the Mass Father O'Connell, chief celebrant and homilist, described the late theologian as a committed educator who faithfully lived out the instructions of his ordination more than 30 years ago: "Share the word of God: Believe what you read, teach what you believe, practice what you teach."

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