Harry Joseph Flynn (May 2, 1933 – September 22, 2019) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis from 1995 to 2008.

He then attended Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Flynn was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William Scully on May 18, 1960, for the Diocese of Albany.

[2] After his ordination, Flynn taught English at Catholic Central High School in Troy, New York and held pastoral positions in several parishes.

[3] After returned to Albany in 1979, he was appointed director of clergy continuing education and as pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Latham, New York.

[3] One day in 1986, Flynn's secretary in Albany, New York, received a phone call from the papal nuncio for the United States.

Cardinal John O'Connor sent a New York state trooper to bring Flynn back to Albany to call the papal nuncio.

"[5] Pope John Paul II appointed Flynn as coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana on April 19, 1986.

[9] In 2002, Flynn led the committee at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops that wrote the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and the "Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons".

These two documents would set policy in the United States for dealing with sexual abuse allegations against priests, deacons and other clergy, with the notable exception of bishops.

[10] In May 2005, Flynn publicly criticized Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty in the Star Tribune for what he perceived as irresponsible tax policies.

While the decision for that judgment rests with an individual Catholic's conscience, it has never been nor is it now acceptable for a communicant to use the reception of Communion as an act of protest.