Henry J. Mansell

Henry Joseph Mansell (October 10, 1937 – April 21, 2026) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford in Connecticut from 2004 to 2013.

Mansell previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo in New York State from 1995 to 2003 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in New York City from 1992 to 1995.

Biography

Early life Henry Mansell was born on October 10, 1937, in the Bronx section of New York City to Henry and Bridget (née Finn) Mansell. He was baptized at St. Augustine's Church in the Bronx three weeks later. He has a sister, Ann. Mansell attended Cathedral College in Manhattan from 1951 to 1955. He then entered St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York, earning a bachelor's degree in 1959.

Priesthood Mansell was ordained to the priesthood in Rome at the Basilica of Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re for the Archdiocese of New York by Archbishop Martin O'Connor on December 19, 1962. He earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1963, and did postgraduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. until 1965. from the pope in St. Peter's Square in Rome, with Archbishops Giovanni Re and Justin Rigali serving as co-consecrators. He selected as his episcopal motto, "Blessed be God" .

Bishop of Buffalo John Paul II appointed Mansell as the twelfth bishop of Buffalo on April 18, 1995. In 1996, Mansell instituted the diocese's vicariate structure, and in 1997 he led the diocese in celebrating its 150th anniversary. He instituted a televised "Daily Mass" celebrated from a chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral.

In Mansell's farewell letter to the diocese in 2003, he said that, "Buffalo is a very strong diocese," and that its parishes, schools, and social service agencies "guarantee strength...for years to come." In 2006, Buffalo Business First reported that Mansell's successor, Bishop Edward Kmiec, said that some statistics were too optimistic, and that the diocese would have to close some parishes and schools to address declining attendance and enrollment, as well as a $3 million diocesan debt.

Archbishop of Hartford John Paul II appointed Mansell as the fourth archbishop of Hartford on October 20, 2003. He was installed on December 18, 2003. Mansell was quoted in a New York Times article stating: "[It is] part of a healing process for the persons whose lives have been severely harmed by the evil of sexual abuse and for the Church itself."

Retirement Having reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, Mansell submitted his letter of resignation as archbishop of Hartford to Pope Francis. Mansell was succeeded by Bishop Leonard P. Blair in December 2013.

Mansell died in Connecticut on April 21, 2026, at the age of 88.