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Assuption Christmas Concert set

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 10:00am

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will again present its annual Christmas Concert entitled “Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2p.m. at its Main Street, Franklin location, and invites the community to attend the free performance.
This presentation consists of the adult vocal choir, under the direction of Dexter Thibodeaux, and the handbell choir, under the direction of Dale Fangue.
The Church of the Assumption also announced that accompanying the choirs again this year will be guest musicians performing on trumpets, flute, violin, and tympani drums, as well as guest soprano Lanie Marcantel.
Performances of traditional and contemporary Christmas pieces, interspersed with the beautiful liturgical narrative of the birth of Christ, are sure to enhance the spirituality of the Christmas season.

'Million Fathers' set this Friday

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:59am

Friday is National Million Father’s March Day.
Fathers and father figures are encouraged to escort their child or children to school to show support and involvement in their lives.
St. Mary/Vermilion CAA-Head Start is the early Louisiana school participating in this event.
The Million Fathers March is an opportunity for dads, uncles, grandfathers, coaches, mentors, clergy, men’s groups and organizations to show their commitment to the education lives of their children throughout the school year by escorting them to school on this day.
Head Start children will be escorted to their center by 7:45 a.m.
For more information, 337-828-5703.

Marsh and coast restoration planting

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:59am

St. Mary Soil and Water Conservation held a marsh grass planting at Burns Point on Sept. 23. Along with volunteers the following agencies partnered with SWCD were the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service), Farm Service Agency, St. Mary Parish 4-H, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office-Marine Section, CCA Louisiana, Gulfcoast SWCD, Lafourche-Terrebonne SWCD, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry, St. Mary Parish Goverment and Friends of the Teche. This project’s goal is to stabilize the shoreline of the bay. A total of 16,725 linear feet will be planted on three foot spacing with 5,575 plugs of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora ‘Vermilion’) on the shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay. The project will re-vegetate the shoreline of East Cote Blanche Bay to increase stability, lessen erosion, create a habitat for wildlife and provide a seed source for natural regeneration.

Morgan City man arrested on gun charge

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:58am

Staff Report

A Morgan City officer found a Morgan City man carrying a concealed .380 semi-automatic handgun without a permit, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said in a news release.
—Deondra Walker, 23, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:21 p.m. Sunday on a charge of illegal carrying of a weapon.
An officer came into contact with Walker on Veterans Boulevard. Walker was found to have a .380 semi-automatic handgun concealed on his person. A computer check revealed Walker did not have a concealed handgun license. He was jailed.
Blair also stated that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 35 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—David Tyronne Francois, 47, of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:27 a.m. Monday on a warrant for a charge of driving under suspension. An officer came into contact with Francois on Gen. McArthur Street. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
—Kalyn Renee Gros, 30, Pecan Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear. An officer came into contact with Gros in the area of Sixth Street and Fig Street. A warrant check revealed the 16th District Court held an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.
—Gabrieo C. Boulanger, 30, of Sixth Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:52 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear. Boulanger was located at the Berwick Police Department on an active warrant held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 39 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—Brian Keith Johnson Sr., 26, of Byron Street in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 9:54 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear for revocation. A deputy working in booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center discovered that Johnson held an active warrant and booked him on the warrant. Johnson continues to be jailed.
—Ronald Lee Johnson, 60, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Monday for two active warrants for failure to provide notification as a sex offender and failure to pay annual registration fee. A deputy working in booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center discovered that Johnson held two active warrants and booked him on the warrant. Johnson continues to be jailed.
—Alexis Ledean Robertson, 34, of Eleventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:04 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, disobeying a traffic light, and failing to honor a written promise to appear. A deputy was approached by Robertson when she turned herself in for the active warrant. Robertson was arrested and released on a summons to appear Dec. 2.
—Kasidy Marie Hebert, 18, of Southeast Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:16 p.m. Monday for interfering with a law enforcement investigation and resisting arrest or officer. A deputy was assisting with a traffic stop on Field Road when Hebert approached the scene and refused to leave after being asked several times. As the deputies attempted to take her into custody she resisted. She was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:
—Clara M. Drexler, 37, of Wedell Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, failure to signal, suspended driver’s license, no insurance, and a warrant for Morgan City Police Department. She was jailed with no bond set.
—Mario T. Williams Jr.,20, of Wedell Street in Patterson was arrested at 11:12 p.m. Sunday on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon, resisting an officer by flight, possession of marijuana, and possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number. He was jailed with no bond set.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the following arrest:
—David W. Stives, 30, of Patureau Drive in Morgan City, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, driving under suspension, and driving on roadway laned for traffic. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division deputy on assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle.
The deputy observed the subject to be very agitated and had his fist closed on one hand. The deputy proceeded to detain the subject in consideration of officer/violator safety and an item fell to the ground from the closed fist. Upon retrieving the item, it was determined to contain suspected methamphetamine. The suspect, now identified as Stives, was jailed with no bond set.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported there were no arrests.

TDT paddle race kicks off the first Friday in October

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:58am

Tour du Teche 135 is an annual race for canoes, kayaks, pirogues and SUP’s along the entire length of Bayou Teche, a total of 135 miles.
It includes small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River. It’s a three-day staged race beginning the first Friday in October.
There are two classes of Tour du Teche 135: Pro Race, in which some of the fastest boats and paddlers from around the world vie for cash prizes; and Voyageur Race, or recreational, where the participants challenge themselves as well as each other for trophies, bragging rights and adventure. Voyageurs may opt for shorter races held in conjunction with Tour du Teche 135.
Tour du Teche 135 was begun in 2010 with the dual purpose of introducing the beautiful Teche Country to paddlers and other eco-tourists from beyond and to illustrate for its residents the recreational, aesthetic, cultural and economic value of Bayou Teche. Since the race’s inception, these two groups, visitors and local folk, have met and mingled in happy expositions of music and cuisine that give Tour du Teche 135 it’s reputation as moveable party as well as a tough series of paddle marathons.
Organizers say th atTour du Teche has been an economic engine for communities along Bayou Teche, a regional tourist attraction, and an effective program for promoting and protecting the bayou as a natural and cultural resource. Since the race began, Bayou Teche has been designated a National Paddle Trail by the U.S. Park Service and a National Water Trail by the U.S. Interior Department. The Chitimacha Nation has built a new park on the bayou. There are two commercial kayak liveries on the Teche, and government-funded kayak launch pads at various spots. The colorful boats are much more in evidence, in the water and on roof racks, and with them come a high grade of tourists, well-heeled and ecologically sensitive.
Locals too are taking more pride in Bayou Teche. The TECHE Project (www.techeproject.org), which spawned the Tour du Teche, conducts periodic clean-ups of the bayou. The City of St. Martinville has created a bayou-side park as a venue for festivals as well as a finish/start for the Tour. The Town of Leonville built a launch ramp that has become a focal point of the town. The City of Berwick has turned the Tour du Teche finish into its annual festival. We now have a launch ramps in many of the towns we visit. Breaux Bridge, Loreauville, New Iberia, Charenton, and Franklin have excellent viewings spots at the boat ramps, boat docks, and parks. Organizers say, “We’re linking the old steamboat towns together again.”

The last pin will fall soon

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:56am

Bergeron is preparing to close Charlie's Lanes

JACLYN BREAUX

jbreaux@daily-review.com

On Saturday, Charlie’s Lanes will close its doors.
“Saturday night,” owner Charlie Bergeron said, “we will have jackpot bowling, give it all away. Then, turn out the lights. … It’s sad.”
Charlie’s Lanes is located at 7722 La. 182 East in Morgan City. Bergeron has been the owner for the last 12 years.
Bowling has had quite a history in Morgan City. “Most people don’t know the history here,” Bergeron said. “I wouldn’t know if I wasn’t involved.”
According to a historical survey that was compiled, edited and produced by John F. Rogers, bowling has been recorded in Morgan City as far back as 1875. In the July 10, 1875, newspaper Brashear News, an ad stated that Pierre Lahitte constructed a bowling alley and a platform for dancing on the New Road to Lake Palourde.
According to Rogers, modern bowling began in Morgan City on Sept. 20, 1940. It was a four-lane alley located at 217 Everett St., and it was owned by Maurice D. Shannon and Sam Citrano.
After that, M.D. Shannon Jr. and Frank Smith built a bowling alley on a quarter boat moored on Front Street. It was named Victory Bowling Alleys and opened on Feb. 14, 1942.
In the building that is today Cannata’s Family Market, 6010 La. 182, there was a restaurant, a bar/lounge, a ballroom and on March 21, 1942, a four-lane bowling alley. This business was called the Shell Inn Recreation.
Rogers writes that the Shell Inn closed early in 1952, and Morgan City was without local bowling until 1960.
In the spring of that year, five local businessmen — Frank Domino, C.J. Cutrone, Julian Fernandez, Ned Russo and Nick Russo — opened Keglers Lanes on the corner of Seventh and Greenwood streets.
Keglers Lanes was a 12-lane center and was an immediate success. Its success led the owners to build a larger establishment.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held July 5, 1961, for the building and on Jan. 13, 1962, the new 24-lane center opened. It was also named Keglers Lanes.
Keglers Lanes went through different owners, but kept the same name until 2007 when Bergeron purchased the building and business and changed the name to Charlie’s Lanes.
Bergeron didn’t just change the name. He remodeled and updated what was available.
“The lanes got automatic scoring,” Bergeron said. “We did the lanes over, put new carpet, we remodeled the whole place. We put pool tables and a bar upstairs. We have six pool tables. We catered mostly to our pool players upstairs.”
Bergeron also opened up to a new sport that local schools adopted. Morgan City, Central Catholic and Berwick high schools all used the bowling alley for practices and competition for their bowling teams.
“Losing the bowling alley for the youth is what bothers me the most,” Bergeron said. “For those that can’t play baseball, football, basketball, whatever, they can bowl.
“We had a lot of youth that wanted to bowl. We also had Special Olympics coming in October. We are hoping, for the youth, that someone might walk in tomorrow and want to keep the bowling center,” Bergeron said.
The decision to close was hard for Bergeron but “you can’t keep putting good money to bad. That’s what I decided because I did put good money to bad, and I can’t do it anymore.”
Bergeron said he saw the closure coming “with the economy, it’s not only Morgan City either, bowling around the nation is really slacking off, too. It’s a sad thing, but the older people are dying off and the younger people aren’t picking it up.
“In this little town, there is a lot of competition. Every weekend there is something going on in this town now. It’s not like it was years ago. The only thing to do then was to go to the show or go bowling. Now every weekend there is something going on. I’m not saying I don’t like all of that stuff, but it just puts people not coming to your place,” Bergeron said.
“So, I had to make a decision, and I made it. I’m not saying I like it,” Bergeron said. “I didn’t know the best route to go, but when I saw my numbers going down and down, well, I guess I was too late.”

Radio Logs for September 25

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 9:52am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Tuesday, Sept. 24
8:24 a.m. 500 block of Barrow Street; Medical emergency.
9:33 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Animal complaint.
10:15 a.m. 6200 block of La. 182; Accident.
10:53 a.m. Old Bridge westbound; Stalled vehicle.
11:36 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Accident.
11:55 a.m. 1100 block of Fourth Street; Complaint.
12:29 p.m. 700 block of Sixth Street; Found wallet.
2:24 p.m. 500 block of Fifth Street; Complaint.
2:25 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical emergency.
2:56 p.m. 200 block of Robin Street; Medical emergency.
4:29 p.m. 1800 block of East Garner Street; Alarm.
5:23 p.m. Fifth and Freret streets; Complaint.
5:31 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Suspicious person.
6:10 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled vehicle.
6:20 p.m. 300 block of Arizona Street; Accident.
6:26 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Harassment.
6:33 p.m. La. 182 Bridge; Assistance.
6:55 p.m. 100 block of Brownell Street; Welfare check.
7:09 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
7:10 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Reckless driving.
7:22 p.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Welfare check.
8:34 p.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Harassment.
11:15 p.m.500 block of Freret Street; Loud noise.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
12:24 a.m. 600 block of Kentucky Street; Suspicious person.
12:59 a.m. 100 block of Eleventh Street; Animal.

Area teams compete in Morgan City High School volleyball tourney

Tue, 09/24/2019 - 7:13pm

Staff Report

Patterson finished 1-1 Saturday in Morgan City High School’s Volleyball Tournament, while the Lady Tigers were 1-3.
The Lumberjills fell to Destrehan and defeated New Iberia Saturday, while Morgan City fell to Destrehan, defeated Ellender and fell to Sam Houston.
Berwick recorded an 0-2 record in the tournament Saturday, falling to Hahnville and Sam Houston.
Against Destrehan, Patterson fell 2-0 (25-8, 25-23).
Gabby Marcel led the Lumberjills with one ace, seven kills and four digs. Other top Patterson contributors were Briyanna Butler, one ace, three kills and five digs; Alyssa Perkins, two kills and six digs; and Gregory, one ace and one dig.
Against New Iberia, Patterson won 2-0 (25-19, 25-10).
Marcel and Butler led Patterson. Marcel had four aces, five kills and three digs, while Butler contributed one ace, four kills, one dig, three solo blocks and one assist. Other top Patterson contributors were Alyssa Perkins, two aces, one kill and three digs; and Marin, one dig and three assists.
Thursday, Patterson defeated Ellender and fell to Morgan City.
Against Ellender, Patterson won 2-0 (25-16, 25-14).
Butler led Patterson with three aces, seven kills, five digs, one solo block and one assist. Other top contributors were Marcel, five aces, four kills, four digs, one solo block and two assists; Emma Marin, five digs and six assists; and Nyla Alexander, three aces, one kill and one dig.
Against Morgan City, Patterson lost 2-0 (25-27, 14-25)
Marcel led Patterson with one ace, four kills, four digs and one solo block. Other top contributors were Butler, three kills, one dig and two solo blocks; Kylia Gregory, one ace, three digs and two assists; and Marin, one ace, two digs and three assists.
Saturday, Morgan City fell to Sam Houston in a battle of the fifth-place and sixth-place teams in the tournament, fifth-place Sam Houston won 2-0 (25-13, 25-14).
Top Morgan City contributors were: Jamia Francois, three kills, one block assist and one dig; Brynn Stephens, 10 digs; Haylie Crappell, one kill, one block assist and five digs; Kamryn Olivier, one ace, one kill and three digs; Tia Estay, eight assists; Faith Bailey, three kills; and Hailey Denning, one ace and two digs.
Against Destrehan, Morgan City fell 2-0 (25-16, 25-11).
Francois and Crappell led Morgan City. Francois had one ace, five kills, two block assists and one dig, while Crappell had one kill and 10 digs. Other top Morgan City contributors were Estay, one block, seven assists and three digs; Bailey, one block assist, one kill, one assist and six digs; and Hailey Aucoin, seven digs
Against Ellender, Morgan City won 2-0 (25-8, 25-19)
Francois, Crappell and Estay led Morgan City. Francois had two aces, seven kills, two assists and two digs, while Crappell contributed one ace, seven kills, one assist and five digs. Estay recorded one ace, 15 assists and one dig. Other top Morgan City contributors were Denning, six aces and five digs, and Stephens, one ace and five digs.
Meanwhile, Berwick fell to Hahnville 2-0 (25-20, 25-18), while against Sam Houston, the Lady Panthers fell 2-1 (16-25, 25-18, 9-15).
No individual stats were submitted from either match.
In the tournament semifinals, Catholic High of New Iberia defeated Hahnville 2-1 (22-25, 26-24, 15-13) and Westlake defeated Destrehan 2-0 (25-23, 25-13).
In the finals, Westlake defeated Catholic High 2-1 (25-20, 20-25, 15-12).

Economy, drainage among top issues for council candidates

Tue, 09/24/2019 - 12:35pm

By BILL DECKER, bdecker@daily-review.com

PATTERSON — As the early voting date for the Oct. 12 primary draws closer, St. Mary voters heard from 10 candidates for Parish Council posts at a Chamber of Commerce forum Monday at the Patterson Area Civic Center.
They heard a lot about infrastructure and economic development, and about the possible consolidation of local governments and making parish president a full-time job.
The primary ballot includes all 11 council seats, the parish president, clerk of court and sheriff, as well as statewide offices, a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education seat, and two state House seats. Voters will also see four proposed constitutional amendments.
Early voting runs 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday through Oct. 5 except Sunday, when there will be no voting, at registrar of voters offices.
You can see videos from Monday’s forum and other forums at StMaryNow.com.
On Monday:
District 3
The candidates in the west-central St. Mary district hope to replace incumbent Dale Rogers, who is running for one of three at-large seats.
—Glynn Pellerin has worked in the health care industry, in the oilfield and for the St. Mary School Board. He runs Subway in Franklin.
Pellerin cited as his top issues drainage, which he said is complicated by a patchwork of culvert sizes around the parish, and economic development. He said he hopes to work with Economic Development Director Frank Fink.
And Pellerin said he’s open to the idea of consolidating local governments in the parish. “I think it’s a good approach,” he said.
He said it’s a good idea if it helps everyone in the parish to be treated equally.
—Rodney Olander’s comments centered on the need he sees to remove planning and zoning obstacles that discourage businesses and homeowners.
A longtime commercial fisherman, Olander has served on the Board of Adjustment. He said he believes planning and zoning ordinances should be made more uniform, and said he’d like to work with state officials to relax building codes that burden construction. Equitable planning and zoning rules might be the only thing he likes about the idea of consolidation.
Olander listed infrastructure as one of his top issues, and not just roads but waterways and bridges as well.
“To change St. Mary Parish, we must come together to find new ways to bring new business to this parish,” Olander said
—Peter Soprano, a former parish council member, is a woodworker and cabinetmaker who currently works at Franklin Healthcare. Soprano proudly points to two of his council no votes: on planning and zoning codes as presented to the council and on the Atchafalaya at Idlewild golf course, which has been a financial challenge for the parish government.
He named drainage, infrastructure and economic development as his three most important issues.
Soprano said he’s open to a study of consolidation and a fulltime parish president post, although he said making the top parish executive a fulltime job should mean eliminating the chief administrative officer and economic development direction positions.
District 4
The district covers Bayou Vista and areas north of Patterson and Berwick. The district is currently represented by Glen Hidalgo, who is not running for re-election.
—James Lemoine emphasized the need for growth.
“It’s important to me that we continue the growth in this district and in St. Mary Parish,” he said.
His top issues included improved roads and increased efficiency.
Lemoine called consolidation a “good thought” that isn’t right at this time. He is open to the idea of making the parish president post fulltime.
“I feel it’s ridiculous that (the parish president’s pay) is less than council members in other parts of the state,” Lemoine said.
—Scott Ramsey’s top issue is economic development.
“The oilfield has just about moved out …,” said Ramsey, a retired attorney. “We have to find something to replace it. Tourism and another dollar store won’t do it.”
Ramsey said the parish should look at becoming a more important port if the division of water between the Mississippi and Atchafalaya changes. A LOOP-like offshore loading facility might be a way to deal with silting in the Atchafalaya, Ramsey said.
He also believes parish taxes are too high.
—Daniel Lipari is a businessman who has served in a zoning post.
His top issues are diversifying the economy and creating educational opportunities.
Lipari thinks a full-time parish president might be a good idea for promoting economic development.
District 5
The district covers the Patterson area. It is currently represented by Ken Singleton, who is not running for re-election.
Candidate Leslie “Les” Rulf Jr. did not appear at the forum.
—Reginald Weary, currently the accountant for the Patterson city government, found himself alone on the stage with 6 minutes to talk. He spent nearly all of it on the need to make St. Mary a place where young people want to come home to, including a daughter who is in college.
“If we don’t turn it around, I don’t see my daughter coming back here …,” Weary said.
“We have to give them opportunities to come back here and thrive.”
District 8
The district covers much of Morgan City. It is currently represented by Sterling Fryou, who is not running for re-election.
—Mark Duhon began his remarks with optimism. “We can be a thriving community again,” he said.
His top three issues included economic development, “and we have to do it fast.”
Duhon also cited infrastructure and recreation among his top issues.
He’s also in favor of a fulltime parish president. Duhon pointed to recent grants obtained by Terrebonne Parish through the work of a full-time chief executive.
—Andros Williams, a longtime firefighter, said his top issues are bringing people back into politics and seeing ‘what we can do to make this parish what it used to be.”
Economic development is another priority.
Williams said he likes the idea of a fulltime parish president, someone who can reach out to people and “see what they want, not what they need but what they want.”
—Nick Morris said he runs the Texas Pipe and Supply location here, where he started at the bottom. “I think I can help get business back into St. Mary again,” he said.
Among his priorities are drainage and fixing up the parishes boat launches.
Morris said he has no problem with a fulltime parish president.
“Yes, it’s costly but the benefits run out way more than what it costs,” Morris said.

Former bishop for Tri-City area dies at 86

Tue, 09/24/2019 - 12:31pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Archbishop Harry Flynn, who led the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 1995 to 2008, has died. He was 86.
The archdiocese announced Flynn’s death on its website Monday, saying he died Sunday night. The statement did not give a cause or place of death. A spokesman for the archdiocese said he was gathering the details.
From 1989 to 1994, Flynn served as bishop for the Diocese of Lafayette, which includes the Tri-City area west of the Atchafalaya River.
Flynn championed social justice, taking stands against racism and the persecution of immigrants. He chaired a commission of U.S. bishops on the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church from 2002 to 2005. But some advocates for survivors of clergy abuse later criticized him for not doing enough to root out abusive priests.
Flynn was born in Schenectady, New York, and served a priest in the Albany, New York, diocese before he became bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. The Vatican moved him to St. Paul to succeed the retiring Archbishop John Roach. Flynn was succeeded, in turn, by Archbishop John Nienstedt in 2008, who resigned under fire in 2015 after prosecutors charged the archdiocese with having failed to protect children from a predator priest.
During a deposition in 2014, Flynn said under oath more than 100 times that he could not remember how he handled most key clergy sexual abuse cases during his 13-year tenure. Then 81, he denied having dementia or other diagnosed memory problems, though he did blame his old age. Under questioning by survivors’ attorney Jeff Anderson, Flynn said he did not report any abuse allegations to police and didn’t recall asking anyone else to report abuse claims, either. But he acknowledged providing payments to some admitted abusers to help them with retirement and housing.
Current Archbishop Bernard Hebda offered a prayer for Flynn in the archdiocese’s official announcement.
“O God, who chose your servant, Archbishop Harry Flynn, from among your Priests, and endowed him with pontifical dignity in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we pray, that he may also be admitted to their company forever,” Hebda said.
A public visitation and vigil will be Sunday evening at Saint Mary’s Chapel at Saint Paul Seminary. A public visitation is also set for next Monday, Sept. 30, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul starting at 8 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. He will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.