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James Golka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
His Excellency, The Most Reverend

James Golka
Metropolitan Archbishop of Denver
ArchdioceseDenver
AppointedFebruary 7, 2026
InstalledMarch 25, 2026
PredecessorSamuel J. Aquila
Previous postBishop of Colorado Springs (2021-2026)
Orders
OrdinationJune 3, 1994
by Lawrence James McNamara
ConsecrationJune 29, 2021
by Samuel J. Aquila, Joseph G. Hanefeldt, and Michael John Sheridan
Personal details
Born (1966-09-22) September 22, 1966 (age 59)
Grand Island, Nebraska, US
EducationCreighton University
Saint Paul Seminary
MottoStewards of God's mysteries
Styles
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

James Robert Golka (born September 22, 1966) is an American Catholic prelate who serves as Archbishop of Denver. He previously served as Bishop of Colorado Springs.[1]

Biography

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Early life

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Golka was born on September 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, one of ten children of Robert and Patricia Golka. He attended Grand Island Central Catholic High School, where he played football. During his time at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, Golka began talking about going into the priesthood with Jesuit priests.[2]

Golka graduated from Creighton with degrees in philosophy and theology. In 1989, he spent a year volunteering at a high school on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in what he called a test of his desire to become a priest.[2]

Golka entered the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1990. He graduated with Master of Divinity and Master of Sacramental Theology degrees in 1994.[2][3]

Priesthood

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On June 3, 1994, Golka was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grand Island, Nebraska, for the Diocese of Grand Island by Bishop Lawrence McNamara.[4]

After his 1994 ordination, the diocese assigned Golka as associate pastor of St. James Parish in Kearney, Nebraska, and Holy Rosary in Alliance, Nebraska. Six years later, in 2000, the diocese appointed him as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and in 2006 as pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in North Platte, Nebraska.[3] In 2016, he became pastor of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[2]

Golka's diocesan positions included:[3] director of ongoing formation of clergy, director of diocesan youth retreats, chair of the Federation of the liturgical commission and of the personnel board, and memberships on the finance council, the presbyteral council, and the pension board.

Bishop of Colorado Springs

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Coat of arms as Bishop of Colorado Springs

Pope Francis appointed Golka bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs on April 30, 2021.[3][5][6] On June 29, 2021, Golka was consecrated at Holy Apostles Church in Colorado Springs by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, with Bishops Joseph G. Hanefeldt, and Michael Sheridan serving as co-consecrators.[1]

In November 2022, after the mass shooting at the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs in which five people died, Golka expressed his concern that LGBTQ individuals had been targeted by the shooter.[7]

Metropolitan Archbishop of Denver

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Pope Leo XIV appointed Golka as metropolitan archbishop for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver on February 7, 2026.[8] He was installed on March 25, 2026.

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Bishop James Robert Golka [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Bishop James R. Golka". Diocese of Colorado Springs. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop Michael Sheridan of the Diocese of Colorado Springs; Appoints Father James Golka of Diocese of Grand Island as Successor". US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Bishop James Robert Golka [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  5. ↑ "Father James Golka of the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, named Bishop of Colorado Springs" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  6. ↑ Kelley, Debbie. "New bishop for the Diocese of Colorado Springs says he's a collaborator who takes his direction from God". Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ "In wake of shooting, Colorado Springs bishop backs tighter gun control". Crux. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  8. ↑ "Pope appoints James Golka as new Archbishop of Denver, Colorado". Vatican News. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
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Episcopal succession

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