A new Denver archbishop has been named. What happens now?
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
Habemus archiepiscopum! We have an archbishop!
On Saturday morning, the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila’s request to retire from pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Denver after nearly 14 years of service. At the same time, the Holy Father appointed Most Reverend James R. Golka, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, to become the next Archbishop of Denver.
Born September 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Archbishop-designate Golka is the fourth of Robert and Patricia Golka's 10 children. A graduate of Creighton University in Nebraska and St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota, he holds degrees in philosophy and theology, including a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Sacramental Theology. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. Pope Francis named him the third Bishop of Colorado Springs on April 30, 2021, succeeding the late Bishop Michael Sheridan. He was consecrated a bishop on June 29, 2021, at Holy Apostles Church in Colorado Springs, with Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and then-Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, as co-consecrators.
"As we look to the future, I ask you to join me in prayerful support for my brother bishop whom the Lord has called to shepherd this Archdiocese: Archbishop-designate James R. Golka. May he be strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive. Welcome him with open hearts, confident that Christ himself remains the ultimate Shepherd of the Church," Archbishop Aquila said in a thank you letter to the faithful of the Archdiocese.
What happens now?
People all around the archdiocese are likely just waking up to the news that they have a new shepherd and spiritual father. Once they wipe the schmutz from their eyes, grab their first cup of coffee and let the news settle in, they might just wonder, “what happens now??” After all, it’s not every day that a diocese gets a new bishop!
Introducing our New Archbishop
Later this morning, a press conference will be held to introduce Archbishop-designate Golka to the Archdiocese of Denver. In this invite-only event accessible to the public by livestream, Archbishop Aquila will offer some thoughts and introduce Archbishop-designate Golka, who will address his new flock and answer a few questions.
Return Home, for Now
A transition this big doesn’t just happen overnight!
After a jam-packed day of introductions, celebrations and visits, Archbishop-designate Golka will head back to Colorado Springs for a time, in order to begin plans for his transition to the Archdiocese of Denver. While he is the Archbishop-designate for the Archdiocese of Denver, he will have plenty to wrap up in Colorado Springs, plus lots to arrange before he makes his way to Denver!
Over the next few weeks and months, Archbishop-designate Golka, along with the staff of the Archdiocese of Denver and Colorado Springs, will be quietly working to arrange the transition of the decade.
Updates Forthcoming
During this time, the Denver Catholic and El Pueblo Católico, the two official publications of the Archdiocese of Denver, will share several updates from the Archdiocese, including special events, biographies, interviews and more.
There will be special coverage, diving into the lives of the two archbishops, reflecting on the good that God has done in Northern Colorado during Archbishop Aquila’s episcopacy, and looking forward to the blessings he will bestow through Archbishop-designate Golka.
Be sure to sign up for our regular newsletter and follow us on social media for all the most up-to-date information!
Farewell Mass
For the last 13 years, Archbishop Aquila has led the Church in Northern Colorado on mission with apostolic zeal, all in a spirit of profound prayer, so that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.
In that time, God has poured forth innumerable blessings and graces, even amid hardship and challenge, on the Archdiocese of Denver. Before the transition occurs, Colorado Catholics will have the opportunity to gather together with Archbishop Aquila to give thanks to God for those blessings and graces.
In the Farewell Mass, Archbishop Aquila will bid adieu to his flock, offering final words of wisdom and reflection, and giving thanks and glory to the Father.
The date, time and location of that Mass will be announced soon.
Installation Vespers
Beginning the official, liturgical Installation ceremonies, Archbishop-designate Golka will celebrate Vespers on March 24, 2026. Also known as Evening Prayer, this liturgy comes from the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church’s official prayer, which is prayed by bishops, priests, deacons, monks, nuns, and religious brothers and sisters, as well as consecrated men and women and lay people, around the world. In this way, the Liturgy of the Hours unites the Church across languages, cultures and time zones, calling the faithful to pray the words of the Psalms and other Scriptures with and for the Church.
During this liturgy, the Archbishop-designate will make a Profession of Faith (the Creed) and take the Oath of Fidelity to the Apostolic See, as required by canon law (canon 380).
Installation Mass
The following day, on March 25, 2026, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the Archdiocese will host the Installation Mass for Archbishop-designate Golka. During this special liturgy, the Archbishop-designate officially becomes the new Archbishop of Denver.
The Mass begins as usual, usually presided over by the installing bishop. After the opening procession, at the beginning of Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio (the pope’s official representative in the United States) or his delegate will read the Apostolic letter appointing Archbishop-designate Golka as Archbishop of Denver. That letter will then be shown to the College of Consultors, a consultative body of priests, the archdiocesan chancellor and all gathered.
With that official appointment received, Archbishop-designate Golka will be seated in the cathedra, the special chair that symbolizes the archbishop’s authority entrusted him by God and the Church, and will receive the crosier, the shepherd’s staff symbolizing his pastoral mission.
Once seated as the new Archbishop of Denver, Northern Colorado’s new shepherd will be greeted by representatives of the archdiocesan clergy, members of the archdiocesan faithful, ecumenical and interfaith leaders and civic leaders.
From here, Mass continues as normal with the Gloria, celebrated by Archbishop-designate Golka — his first Mass as Archbishop of Denver.
Receiving the Pallium
Following his Installation as Archbishop of Denver, Archbishop-designate Golka will customarily receive the pallium from Pope Leo XIV.
The liturgical garment is a collar of sorts, worn over a chasuble (the outermost vestment, resembling a poncho, that priests wear during Mass), around the shoulders. It is woven from the wool of lambs raised by Trappist monks, recalling Christ the Good Shepherd by whose example the archbishop leads. That wool is customarily blessed on the Memorial of St. Agnes, January 21.
All metropolitan archbishops receive this garment from the pope or his representative on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, two of the Church’s greatest apostles and evangelists. The pallium thereby symbolizes a connection to the other archbishops of the world and to the pope himself.
While Pope Francis moved away from the traditional practice of conferring the pallium on new archbishops nearly a decade ago, in favor of having local Apostolic Nuncios present them, Pope Leo revived the practice last year.
Whether Archbishop-designate Golka receives the pallium from the hands of the Holy Father himself or his representative, the new Archbishop of Denver will receive the liturgical vestment following his Installation, a symbol of his pastoral responsibility.
‘Go and make disciples…’
With all the ceremonies and canonical requirements fulfilled, Archbishop-designate Golka will roll up his sleeves and get to work, preaching the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments and bringing others into a life-changing encounter with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Long after the excitement and attention fade, Northern Colorado’s new shepherd will prayerfully, faithfully and passionately work to fulfill Jesus’ mission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
The special ceremonies are just the beginning, for there is much work to be done in the vineyard of the Lord, so that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.
As faithful spiritual sons and daughters, we are called to pray fervently for our new shepherd, asking the Father to bestow wisdom, clarity and zeal for souls.
We are challenged to unite ourselves to the Heart of Christ, asking Jesus to accomplish God’s will in our lives, families, parishes, ministries and communities.
We are invited to pray for the Church in Northern Colorado in this moment of profound change, asking the Holy Spirit to inspire peace, fidelity and filial love.
If this sounds like a tall order, “Be not afraid,” as Jesus himself reminds us throughout the Gospels. For just as quickly as he gives us his Great Commission — “Go and make disciples…” — he also promises his sustaining and sanctifying presence — “…and behold, I am with you even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Prayer for the New Archbishop
O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church of Northern Colorado who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
May the bishop given to us by your holy Church govern with justice, sanctify your people by his example of holiness and be an instrument of your divine mercy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The English translation of the Collect for the Election of a Pope or a Bishop, adapted from The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
