Archbishop Flynn resigns; Archbishop Nienstedt succeeds him

Published: 2008-05-02

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis May 2. As coadjutor archbishop of the archdiocese for the past year, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, 61, automatically succeeds him. The changes were announced in Washington by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Flynn's resignation was accepted on the day he turned 75, the normal retirement age for archbishops. "I am grateful to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, for his confidence in naming me archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis," Archbishop Nienstedt said in a statement. "It is a tremendous responsibility for pastoring the people of God now assigned to my care. I ask for the prayerful support of both Catholics and non-Catholics alike." He congratulated Archbishop Flynn on his birthday and thanked him for his nearly 14 years of service to the archdiocese.

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