In 1870 he graduated from the Drohobych Gymnasium, in 1874 from Lviv University, and in 1874 from the Lviv Theological Seminary with ordination to the priesthood in Rome.[3][4]
Served in parishes in Kalush (1874–1875), Nadorozhna, Tovmach Powiat (1874–1883, employee), Hlyboka (1883–1884), Roztoky (1884–1888, administrator), Zalishchyky, Dovhopole (1888–1921).[3][4][5]
Founded cultural, educational, and economic societies in the Hutsul region.[5] He had a library that was the largest and most informative in the Kosiv region. He ran for the Austrian Parliament.[1][2]
In 1904, he opposed the Austrian regime and was imprisoned for a year.[4]
Fr. Popel's house was visited by Mariyka Pidhiryanka, Olha Kobylianska, Osyp Makovei, Ivan Franko (who corresponded with him),[4] Marko Cheremshyna, Vasyl Stefanyk, Lesya Ukrainka, and Klyment Kvitka.[1] Assisted Ivan Franko, Fedir Vovk, Volodymyr Hnatiuk, Volodymyr Shukhevych, E. Zhelikhovskyi, Bohdan Lepky, Osyp Makovei, Ivan Trush in ethnographic, ethnological, archeological, and anthropological research of the Hutsul region.[3][5][6]
Died on 18 February 1921 in Dovhopole, Verkhovyna Raion. He was buried in the cemetery near the church, the grave has not been preserved.[5]