Farewell, Archbishop Flynn

Catholics in the Twin Cities (and far beyond) should brace themselves for an interesting few years ahead after today’s announcement that Pope Benedict XVI has officially accepted the retirement of Archbishop Harry Flynn, who cedes his cathedral to Archbishop John Nienstedt. Cue the fireworks. (This wasn’t at all a suprise; Nienstedt was appointed the coadjutor […]

Catholics in the Twin Cities (and far beyond) should brace themselves for an interesting few years ahead after today’s announcement that Pope Benedict XVI has officially accepted the retirement of Archbishop Harry Flynn, who cedes his cathedral to Archbishop John Nienstedt. Cue the fireworks.

(This wasn’t at all a suprise; Nienstedt was appointed the coadjutor (designated successor) archbishop last April. The only surprise is how swiftly Benedict is retiring bishops like Flynn once they reach their 75th birthday. At a relatively young 61, Nienstedt is just getting started.)

The move is less significant because Flynn is leaving and more that Nienstedt gets the pulpit all to himself. For his part, Flynn was (and is) one of the most widely respected bishops in the U.S. church. He’s straight out of Central Casting when it comes to Minnesota niceness, and he had the unenviable job of spearheading the drafting and implementation of the U.S. bishops sex abuse reforms in 2002. Simply put, he was one of the nicest and most pastoral bishops I’ve met on the beat.


Nienstedt, on the other hand, is more, shall we say, colorful. He’s the guy who insists-forcefully-that homosexuality is the result of “trauma” inflicted on unsuspecting toddlers sometime between the age of 18 months and 3 years. He came out with this statement last November (via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Those who actively encourage or promote homosexual acts or such activity within a homosexual lifestyle formally cooperate in a grave evil,” wrote Nienstedt, who is scheduled to succeed retiring Archbishop Harry Flynn in May. “If they do so knowingly and willingly, [they] are guilty of mortal sin.”

Nienstedt went on to set three conditions for such church members to receive communion: They must experience a “conversion of heart,” express “sorrow for their action” and receive absolution from a priest.

A few more highlights, again via the Star-Tribune:

– After succeeding Bishop Ray Lucker in the Diocese of New Ulm, Minn., Nienstedt denounced Lucker’s call for dialogue on opening the priesthood to women.

– He rebuked the Rev. Harry Behan, a priest in St. Peter, Minn., for worshiping with Lutherans on several Easters after a 1998 tornado destroyed the town’s Catholic church.

– He led last year’s drive to have Catholics pepper legislators with postcards supporting a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.


– He has written that homosexuality stems from childhood events rather than biology.

– He has decried “the contraceptive mentality” and urged Catholics to have more children if they want to help Catholic schools and provide more priests.

So, it should be interesting. Flynn has always embodied more of the semi-progressive Minneapolis tolerance and less of the Upper Midwestern conservativism that might be associated with the post. Stay tuned.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!