Samuel J. Aquila

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Samuel Joseph Aquila
Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Denver
Aquila in 2014
ArchdioceseDenver
AppointedMay 29, 2012
InstalledJuly 18, 2012
RetiredFebruary 7, 2026
PredecessorCharles Chaput
SuccessorJames R. Golka
Previous posts
Orders
OrdinationJune 5, 1976
by James Vincent Casey
ConsecrationAugust 24, 2001
by Harry Joseph Flynn, James Stephen Sullivan, and Charles J. Chaput
Personal details
Born (1950-09-24) September 24, 1950 (age 75)
Burbank, California, US
MottoQuodcumque dixerit facite
(Do whatever He says)
— John 2:5
Styles of
Samuel Joseph Aquila
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop
Ordination history of
Samuel J. Aquila
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byHarry Joseph Flynn
DateAugust 24, 2001
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Samuel J. Aquila as principal consecrator
Stephen Jay BergFebruary 27, 2014
Jorge Rodríguez-NoveloNovember 4, 2016
Steven BieglerJune 5, 2017
James R. GolkaJune 29, 2021

Samuel Joseph Aquila (/əkwiːlə/; born September 24, 1950) is an American Catholic prelate served as metropolitan archbishop of Denver in Colorado from 2012 to 2026. He was bishop of Fargo from 2002 to 2012. He is on the board of directors for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

Biography

Early life

Samuel Aquila was born on September 24, 1950, in Burbank, California. He was ordained a priest the Archdiocese of Denver at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver by Archbishop James Casey on June 5, 1976.[1][2]

In 1999, Archbishop Charles Chaput appointed Aquila as rector of the new St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. He was also named chief executive officer of the Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute at the seminary. In 2000, Pope John Paul II named Aquila as an honorary prelate (monsignor).[1]

Coadjutor bishop and bishop of Fargo

On May 29, 2001, John Paul appointed Aquila coadjutor bishop of Fargo. Aquila received his episcopal consecration at Saint Mary Cathedral in Fargo on August 24, 2001, from Archbishop Harry Flynn.[3] Aquila became bishop of Fargo upon the resignation of Bishop James Sullivan on March 18, 2002.[4]

On February 24, 2005, John Paul II named Aquila the administrator of the Diocese of Sioux Falls; that ended with the consecration of Paul J. Swain as bishop there in October 2006.[5][6]

Archbishop of Denver

On May 29, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Aquilaarchbishop of Denver.[7] He was installed on July 18, 2012, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.[8]

In 2018 Aquila released a letter on the sexual abuse charges against then Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Aquila said that a culture of selfishness and deviated sexual morals, which he claimed had increased since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, has deceived clergy and lay people into such behavior. He urged the Church to return to its principles of human dignity and love founded in Christ.[9]

In September 2024, Aquila denounced Amendment 79, a proposed amendment to the Colorado State Constitution that would codify abortion rights for women in the state.[10] Amendment 79 passed in November 2024 with a 61% majority.[11]

Aquila submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday, as required by canon law.[12] Pope Leo XIV accepted it on February 7, 2026.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Our Archbishop". Archdiocese of Denver. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  2. ^ "Archbishop Samuel Joseph Aquila [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "Pope Appoints New Archbishop Of Denver". www.thedenverchannel.com. May 29, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "Archbishop Samuel Joseph Aquila [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "Office of the Bishop". Catholic Diocese of Fargo. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012.
  6. ^ Young, Gene. "Fargo bishop appointed apostolic administrator for Diocese of Sioux Falls". Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. Archived from the original on April 8, 2005. Retrieved February 4, 2008.
  7. ^ Medlin, Marianne (May 29, 2012). "Pope appoints Fargo bishop to lead Denver archdiocese". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  8. ^ Draper, Electa (May 29, 2012). "Vatican names Samuel J. Aquila Catholic archbishop in Denver". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "Denver archbishop reflects on McCarrick abuse crisis". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  10. ^ ""NO" ON 79: Archbishop urges opposition to dangerous pro-abortion amendment | Denver Catholic". September 27, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Tassy, Elaine (November 5, 2024). "Colorado voters approve constitutional amendment on abortion access". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila submits resignation". The Denver Post. MediaNews Group. September 19, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Joseph_Aquila