Msgr. James E. Mancini, 78, dies Aug. 9

Published: August 12, 2019

Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, released the following letter Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, addressed to diocesan priests and deacons regarding the death of Msgr. James Mancini on Aug. 9. 

"With faith in eternal life, I announce the death of Msgr. James E. Mancini. He passed away in northwest Arkansas after a lengthy illness at the age of 78.

"Msgr. Mancini was born in North Little Rock on New Year’s Eve 1940. He attended St. Patrick School and Our Lady of Good Counsel School before entering St. John Home Mission Seminary in 1954, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Albert Fletcher on May 28, 1966 in the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock.

"His assignments included associate pastor of Immaculate Conception, Fort Smith, St. Joseph, Pine Bluff and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Little Rock, before being named pastor of St. Anthony and St. Norbert in Weiner and Marked Tree.

"In 1982 he was named pastor of St. Barbara in De Queen, and a year later assigned as pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Little Rock. Subsequently, he became pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, Benton, St. Patrick and St. Anne, North Little Rock, St. Michael, Cherokee Village and St. John the Baptist and Immaculate Heart of Mary (churches) in Engelberg and Walnut Ridge.

"In 2002 he was named pastor of St. Joseph in Tontitown and St. John the Evangelist in Huntsville. His final assignment as pastor was at St. Bernard in Bella Vista. He was also assigned as the spiritual director of the RENEW program, which had a great impact on the entire diocese.

"Msgr. Mancini was a dedicated priest, a man of deep spirituality, and was very active leader in the charismatic renewal.

"A vigil service will be prayed at St. Joseph Church, Tontitown, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m., with a funeral Mass at St. Joseph on Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. A second vigil service will be conducted at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral on Friday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at 'Priest’s Circle' in Calvary Cemetery, Little Rock. A luncheon will follow in McDonald Hall.

"Please offer three Masses for the repose of his soul, and please continue to pray for an increase of priestly vocations.

"Your brother in Christ,
(Rev. Msgr.) Francis I. Malone, JCL, PA
Chancellor for Ecclesial Affairs"

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.