John Francis Hackett (December 7, 1911 – May 30, 1990) was an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as anauxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Hartford from 1953 to 1986.
Hackett was born inNew Haven, Connecticut, one of seven children of Thomas J. and Anne (Whalen) Hackett.[1] He received his early education atpublic schools in New Haven, including Lovell School andHillhouse High School.[2] In 1929, he began his studies for thepriesthood atSt. Thomas Seminary inBloomfield.[1] In 1931, he was sent to continue his studies at Saint-Sulpice Seminary inIssy,France.[2]
On June 29, 1936, Hackett wasordained a priest by CardinalJean Verdier atNotre Dame Cathedral inParis.[3] Following his return to Connecticut, he was assigned as acurate atSt. Aloysius Church inNew Canaan, where he remained for nine years.[4] From 1945 to 1952, he served as secretary to BishopHenry Joseph O'Brien and assistant chancellor of theDiocese of Hartford.[1] He was named vice-chancellor in 1951 and chancellor in 1953.[4]
On December 10, 1952, Hackett was appointedauxiliary bishop of Hartford andtitular bishop ofHelenopolis in Palaestina byPope Pius XII.[3] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on March 19, 1953, from Bishop O'Brien, with ArchbishopFrancis Patrick Keough and BishopMatthew Francis Brady serving asco-consecrators, atSt. Joseph's Cathedral.[3] He selected as his episcopalmotto:Manete In Christo (Latin: "Remain in Christ").[5] The Diocese of Hartford was elevated to anarchdiocese in August of that year.[6] In 1959, he relinquished his duties as chancellor to becomevicar general of the archdiocese.[7]
Hackett served as a member of the boards of St. Francis Hospital, of St. Mary's Hospital inWaterbury, 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 theNational Conference of Catholic Bishops.[8] He retired as auxiliary bishop of Hartford on December 7, 1986.[3]
Hackett died fromcancer at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, at age 78.[2]
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| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford 1953–1986 | Succeeded by – |
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