‘Come Lord Jesus’
More than 2,000 people attend funeral Mass of retired Twin Cities’ Archbishop Harry Flynn
Obituary for Archbishop Harry J. Flynn
Legacy includes grappling with clergy abuse crisis
Archbishop Flynn in his own words
Archbishop Flynn reflects at end of life
Among Archbishop Flynn’s many friends…
Archbishop laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery
Retired Archbishop Flynn stressed prayer, people
Sharing memories
“He was all excited, he just got a puppy.”
Marie Flynn Danek, a niece of Archbishop Flynn’s who with her sister, Maureen Campbell, flew in for his funeral from Schenectady, New York, as she recalled being in a bridesmaid dress at a family wedding when he gestured her into his office at the church so he could show off his first golden retriever, Megan, who was followed by Megan Nos. 2 and 3.
“My first encounter with Archbishop Flynn was a dinner invitation. … It was delicious, I remember there were mashed potatoes,”
Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany, New York, on sharing a meal with the archbishop at the Flynn family home on Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.
“Archbishop Flynn taught me a lot about the fact that the priest and the bishop exist for the people. He loved people. He loved meeting people and sharing their joys and sorrows.”
Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens, ordained a priest by Archbishop Flynn, who also was a principal co-consecrator at then-Father Cozzens’ ordination as a bishop in 2013. Bishop Cozzens served as Archbishop Flynn’s master of ceremonies from 1998-2002 and from 2006-2008.
“I would hear about him from the parishioners of Lafayette, who knew him well and loved him well.”
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of Lafayette, Louisiana
“I will miss him a lot. But it’s also a sense of joy. This morning, I had the feeling, I don’t have to pray for him. I had the feeling he was praying for me.”
Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt Torres of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, a former pastor, seminary professor and vice rector for formation at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.
“He ordained me a bishop. When I got the news, I asked him, ‘How did this happen?’ He said to me, ‘Peter, I have been putting your name in for 14 years. Finally they listened.’”
Bishop Peter Christensen of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho.
“How beautiful it is to have so many of these faithful people sharing stories of Archbishop Flynn, their appreciation for his ministry and their prayers for him.”
Archbishop Bernard Hebda before the funeral Mass.
“He was a great and compassionate priest and friend. Archbishop Harry Flynn had a special love and admiration for the Maronite Church. We were graced with his presence so many times on our altar. Thank you for supporting my ministry in many different ways. I will cherish our friendship. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.”
Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun of St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, Minneapolis.
“He didn’t want to be liberal or conservative, he just wanted to be Catholic, to love the Church and to lead others to love the Church, too.”
Bob Zyskowski, former associate publisher and general manager of The Catholic Spirit.
“One of my fondest memories of Archbishop Flynn was when I interviewed him and he shared with me stories about his friend Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He (also) was someone who donated both his time and money to support the pro-life movement.”
Russ Rooney, president of Life Legal MN, a chapter of Life Legal Defense Foundation; advisory board member for Human Life Alliance.
“Let your father be with God. Let him be in God’s light, let him be in God’s love.”
Benedictine Sister Linda Soler, sub-prioress of St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, quoting a letter of condolence she received from Archbishop Flynn when her father, George Soler, died in July.
