Neal James Buckon (September 3, 1953) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA since 2011.


Neal James Buckon
Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Services, USA
Titular Bishop of Vissalsa
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeArchdiocese for the Military Services, USA
AppointedJanuary 3, 2011
InstalledFebruary 22, 2011
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Vissalsa
Orders
OrdinationMay 25, 1995
by Anthony Michael Pilla
ConsecrationFebruary 22, 2011
by Timothy P. Broglio, Anthony Pilla, and Richard Lennon
Personal details
Born (1953-09-03) September 3, 1953 (age 71)
MottoOpere et veritate
(In action and truth)
Styles of
Neal James Buckon
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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Early life

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Neal Buckon was born on September 3, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio, to John and Rita Buckon. He has six siblings. Buckon attended Gesu Elementary School and Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, Ohio. After graduating from high School, Buckon entered John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, receiving a Bachelor of Science in biology. While in college, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).[1][2]

Military service

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After graduating from college, Buckon entered the US Army as an officer. During his seven years in the Army, he had the following assignments:

Preparation for priesthood

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After leaving the Army, Buckon spent time traveling around the world. Returning to Ohio, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Cleveland State University. Deciding to become a priest, Buckon studied at Saint Mary's Seminary and Borromeo College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree.[1]

Priesthood

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Buckon was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland, Ohio, by Bishop Anthony Michael Pilla for the Diocese of Cleveland on May 25, 1995.[1][3][2] The diocese assigned Buckon as parochial vicar at St. Margaret Mary Parish in South Euclid, Ohio.[1]

In 1996, Buckon was accepted as a chaplain into the United States Army Chaplain Corps. He left St. Margaret Mary in 1998 to go on active duty as a chaplain. His assignments included:

After his deployment to South Korea, Buckon retired from the Chaplain Corps in 2010.[1][2]

Auxiliary Bishop of the Military Services, USA

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Buckon was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the Military Services, USA as well as titular bishop of Vissalsa on January 3, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI. Buckon was consecrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., by Bishop Timothy Broglio on February 22, 2011, with Bishops Anthony Pilla and Richard Lennon acting as co-consecrators.[3][1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bishop Neal J. Buckon - Archdiocese for the Military, USA". www.milarch.org. 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  2. ^ a b c d "Pope Names Army Chaplain Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Services". US Conference of Catholic Bishops. January 3, 2011. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  3. ^ a b "Bishop Neal James Buckon [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
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Episcopal succession

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Services, USA
2011 – Present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Roman Catholic Titular See of Vissalsa
2011 – Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent