Biography

The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, D.D., attended SS. Peter and Paul School in the Bronx and the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers in 1959. He continued his studies at the North American College and the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a licentiate in sacred theology in 1963. He also pursued postgraduate studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

He was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1962, in Rome. He subsequently served as a parish priest in various parishes in New York City and Westchester County.

In 1972, he was appointed Director of the Office of Parish Councils. He later served on the first Archdiocesan Board of Catholic Education and on the Council of Conciliation for the Archdiocese of New York. In 1985, he was named Vice Chancellor, then Director of Priest Personnel, and in 1988 he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese.

In November 1992, Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of New York, and he was ordained a bishop by the Holy Father in Rome on January 6, 1993.

He was installed as the twelfth Bishop of Buffalo on June 12, 1995. During his tenure, he visited every parish in the Diocese, many of them multiple times, and fostered strong collaboration with clergy, religious, and laity. He instituted administrative structures to strengthen pastoral planning, expanded ministry to diverse communities, and oversaw significant developments in Catholic education, healthcare, and diocesan life.

Among many initiatives, he helped establish the Catholic Health System, supported Catholic schools through strategic planning and funding, and promoted diocesan unity through pastoral outreach and major liturgical celebrations. He also strengthened outreach to Hispanic, Vietnamese, Korean, and African American communities within the Diocese.

On October 20, 2003, he was appointed Archbishop of Hartford by Pope Saint John Paul II and was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Hartford on December 18, 2003.

As Archbishop, he visited every parish of the Archdiocese, often multiple times, and guided numerous pastoral, charitable, and administrative initiatives. He oversaw multiple Archbishop’s Annual Appeals, each exceeding its goal, and expanded assistance for Catholic education and charitable outreach.

He played a key role in establishing the Malta House of Care mobile medical clinic, supported efforts to address homelessness in the Hartford region, and strengthened diocesan infrastructure through the development of offices dedicated to human resources, development, and facilities management.

He promoted the cause for the beatification and canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney and supported the life of the Church through numerous pastoral and civic initiatives.

In 2013, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Hartford.

Archbishop Mansell received numerous honors, including honorary doctorates from Niagara University, St. Bonaventure University, Canisius College, Albertus Magnus College, Goodwin College, and the University of Hartford.

Throughout his ministry, Archbishop Mansell was known for his pastoral care, administrative leadership, and dedication to the life of the Church.