LAFAYETTE, La. The Diocese of Lafayette announced the death of a former bishop.

Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn, former Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, died Sunday, September 22. He was 86.

The late Archbishop Flynn, who was most recently Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in Minnesota,  served as Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette from 1989-1994. Bishop Flynn came to Lafayette from the Albany, New York diocese of which he was a native.

Bishop Harry Flynn took over responsibilities as fourth Bishop of Lafayette in May, 1989, after the retirement of Bishop Gerard Frey.

In February of 1994, Bishop Flynn was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of St.Paul-Minneapolis in Minnesota and assumed these duties in April, 1994. Upon the retirement of Archbishop John Roach, he became the seventh Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis on September 8, 1995.

He retired as Archbishop in May of 2008.

“I was saddened to learn this morning of the death of Archbishop Harry Flynn after a long illness.  He was a tireless and longtime servant of the Church as Priest, Rector of Mount St. Mary Seminary, Bishop and Archbishop,” Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette said. “Many in our Diocese of Lafayette were touched by his kindness and charity for those in need.  May he now be received into the arms of his Heavenly Father who creates us for Himself.  Eternal rest grant unto him.”

 Funeral services, which will be held in Minnesota, are still pending.