John Francis Hackett (December 7, 1911 – May 30, 1990) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford from 1953 to 1986.

Biography

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Hackett was born in New Haven, Connecticut, one of seven children of Thomas J. and Anne (Whalen) Hackett.[1] He received his early education at public schools in New Haven, including Lovell School and Hillhouse High School.[2] In 1929, he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield.[1] In 1931, he was sent to continue his studies at Saint-Sulpice Seminary in Issy, France.[2]

On June 29, 1936, Hackett was ordained a priest by Cardinal Jean Verdier at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.[3] Following his return to Connecticut, he was assigned as a curate at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan, where he remained for nine years.[4] From 1945 to 1952, he served as secretary to Bishop Henry Joseph O'Brien and assistant chancellor of the Diocese of Hartford.[1] He was named vice-chancellor in 1951 and chancellor in 1953.[4]

On December 10, 1952, Hackett was appointed auxiliary bishop of Hartford and titular bishop of Helenopolis in Palaestina by Pope Pius XII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on March 19, 1953, from Bishop O'Brien, with Archbishop Francis Patrick Keough and Bishop Matthew Francis Brady serving as co-consecrators, at St. Joseph's Cathedral.[3] He selected as his episcopal motto: Manete In Christo (Latin: "Remain in Christ").[5] The Diocese of Hartford was elevated to an archdiocese in August of that year.[6] In 1959, he relinquished his duties as chancellor to become vicar general of the archdiocese.[7]

Hackett served as a member of the boards of St. Francis Hospital, of St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, and of the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven.[8] He was also president of the New England Conference of Catholic Hospitals and chairman of the New England Regional Conference of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.[8] He retired as auxiliary bishop of Hartford on December 7, 1986.[3]

Hackett died from cancer at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, at age 78.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
  2. ^ a b c "Most Rev. John F. Hackett, auxiliary bishop for 37 years". New Haven Register. 1990-05-31.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bishop John Francis Hackett". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  4. ^ a b "AUXILIARY BISHOP NAMED; Msgr. J.F. Hackett Is Appointed in Hartford Diocese". The New York Times. 1952-12-17.
  5. ^ "Former Auxiliary Bishops". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27.
  6. ^ "Archdiocese of Hartford". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  7. ^ "VICAR GENERAL NAMED; Hartford Bishop Will Give Up Duties as Chancellor". The New York Times. 1959-11-01.
  8. ^ a b "John F. Hackett, 88, Ex-Bishop in Hartford". The New York Times. 1990-06-01.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford
1953–1986
Succeeded by