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Pope Leo XIV Names Bishop James R. Golka Sixth Archbishop of Denver

(Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Colorado Springs) DENVER — Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop James R. Golka as the sixth Archbishop of Denver, the Holy See announced early February 7, 2026.  Archbishop-designate Golka, 59, is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. He will succeed Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, 75, who has been chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Denver since 2012.  Archbishop Aquila’s retirement — which he offered to the pope upon his 75th birthday, Sept. 24,...

A Farewell Thank You from Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila

(Denver Catholic file photo) February 7, 2026  My Brothers and Sisters,  As I prepare to enter retirement, my heart is filled above all with gratitude — to God, to the priests and deacons of this local Church, to consecrated women and men, and to the lay faithful who have walked together as missionary disciples in Northern Colorado. From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, communion and...

Get to Know Archbishop-Designate James R. Golka

Then-Bishop James R. Golka preaches during Mass at SEEK26 in Denver. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Courtesy of FOCUS) Archbishop-designate James R. Golka was born September 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, the fourth of 10 children born to Robert and the late Patricia Golka. He graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic High School and attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1985-89, where he earned degrees in philosophy and theology.  He served as a Jesuit lay missionary...

A new Denver archbishop has been named. What happens now?

Then-Bishop James R. Golka blesses attendees at Mass at SEEK26 in Denver. (Photo by Madisen Martinez/Courtesy of FOCUS) 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...

‘The Harvest Is Abundant’: How One Parish Took 74 to SEEK

When St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada, Colorado, brought more than 70 parishioners to the SEEK conference  in Denver this January, it wasn’t a last-minute decision — it was the fruit of years of discernment, prayer and a renewed understanding of what it means to be a parish on mission in the Archdiocese of Denver. The 74 Fervent Evangelical Warriors from St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada (plus a few extra!) gathered for a group photo during SEEK26 in Denver. (Photo courtesy of St. Joan of Arc...

Denver Archdiocese Launches First Clergy Peer Support Program With the Diocese of Colorado Springs

37 deacons and 4 priests came together to launch what organizers say might be the first diocesan-sponsored clergy peer support program in the nation. (Photo provided) When Deacon Ernie Martinez took on his role as director of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver three years ago, he brought with him an insight few clergy possess: 40 years of experience with the Denver Police Department, where he witnessed firsthand how peer support could save lives. That experience has now translated into...

Here I am Lord, Send me: Paul Glaser and Regina Caeli Hermitage 

For Paul Glaser, what began as a simple construction job in the foothills of Colorado has become a mission of faith, service and community.  (Photo provided) Born and raised in Nebraska, Glaser came to Colorado at 21, following college friends — one of whom would later become his brother-in-law. He started working in construction and made St. John the Evangelist Parish in Loveland his home parish. There he met Father Roger Mollison, a priest who would unknowingly shape the course of his life...

Pope Leo Calls for a ‘Samaritan Spirit’ Ahead of the World Day for the Sick

Together, as one Body in Christ, the Church is called to an active love, which flows from encounter and compassion, just as it did for the Good Samaritan. Locally, that compassionate care will take shape at the annual World Day for the Sick Mass on February 15. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez anoints a Massgoer during the annual World Day for the Sick Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in Denver. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) It’s an uncharacteristically warm winter day, and you find...

'See the Inherent Dignity in Every Person': Archbishop Aquila Discusses Immigration on Dan Caplis' Show

Speaking on his recently published Pastoral Call to Peace , the Denver archbishop urged the faithful and all those of goodwill to return to civil discourse, rooted in a biblical worldview and in the human dignity inherent in every person. (Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) As tensions run high nationwide in response to immigration enforcement and recent violence, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila joined the Dan Caplis Show to urge a return to the peace that only Christ can give.  Speaking...

PHOTOS | Archbishop Aquila to New Denver Transitional Deacon: ‘God Comes First’

As the archdiocese’s newest deacon was ordained, the Denver archbishop called him and each of the faithful to deeper faith, surrender, and hope in God. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greets newly ordained Deacon Enrique Cruz Bautista during the ordination Mass on January 31, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Denver’s newest transitional deacon — and indeed all of us — have a renewed challenge from our spiritual father: put God first. During his homily at Deacon Enrique Cruz...

U.S. Solicitor General backs Catholic parents and preschools at Supreme Court

Justice Department urges Court to reverse Colorado’s exclusion of Catholics from “universal” preschool program (Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) Catholic preschools in the Archdiocese of Denver have been seeking equal treatment for more than two years, in the face of Colorado's exclusion of religious schools from their "Universal" Preschool Program (UPK). The fight began in August 2023, when a team of lawyers from Becket filed a lawsuit  against Colorado on behalf of two of the Archdiocese...

Colorado Families Rally at Capitol for School Choice Week: ‘Every Child Deserves a Fit’

Students, parents and educators celebrate educational freedom — and renewed support for parents as primary educators. Priscilla Rahn, headmaster of Excalibur Classical Academy, speaks during the School Choice Week rally at the Colorado State Capitol on Tuesday. (Photo by Matt Walker) By Matt Walker Hundreds of students, parents and educators gathered at the State Capitol on Tuesday to celebrate National School Choice Week, making visible a fraction of the hundreds of educational options...