Archbishop Harry J. Flynn to Receive
The 50th Annual Franciscan International Award
On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Archbishop Harry J. Flynn received the Franciscan International Award at the Royal Cliff Banquet Center in Eagan, Minnesota.
A native of New York, Archbishop Flynn was born in Schenectady, New York in 1933. After receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from Siena College in Loudonville, NY, he entered Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960 in Albany, New York.
In the diocese of Albany, then Fr. Flynn served as an associate pastor, pastor, high school teacher, retreat leader, and spiritual leader in several assignments within the Albany diocese. He also served as the Dean, Vice-Rector, and Rector of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary from 1965 to 1979.
It was in the Albany diocese that then-Fr. Flynn taught a course in Spirituality at the major seminary, St. Anthony on Hudson, sponsored by the Conventual Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception Province. He also served as a pastoral supervisor for the friar students at St. Anthony on Hudson.
On June 24, 1986, he was ordained a bishop and became the Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, until being named Coadjutor Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota in February, 1994. On October 1, 1995, Archbishop Flynn succeeded Archbishop John Roach as head of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
His warm and affable nature, coupled with his fine mind have made him a great leader for the archdiocese. His weekly column in The Catholic Spirit, shows his interest in issues of Catholic Education and the faith formation of children, youth and adults.
Archbishop Flynn is the 50th recipient of the Franciscan International Award; past recipients have included: Rev. Billy Graham (1972); Habitat for Humanity (1999); and Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, (2003). The award seeks to honor individuals or organizations that represent the ideals and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
