Denver Archbishop-designate James Golka on Feb. 7 said his agenda as archbishop will consist of "tak[ing] time to intentionally listen to God's will" and then doing it.
The newly named leader of the archdiocese addressed the faithful at a press conference in Denver hours after the Vatican announced that he would be taking over after Archbishop Samuel Aquila steps down from the post.
Upon being named as bishop of Colorado Springs in 2021, Golka said he aimed to help the faithful "become fascinated by the Lord" and that he himself has been "fascinated by Jesus Christ" for his entire life. On Feb. 7 he said he was "still fascinated" by the Lord.
"When you're fascinated by someone, you want to know more about him," he said. "You cannot help but fall in love with him, and when you fall in love with our Lord you want to spend your entire life for him."
Golka's installation is scheduled for March 25th, the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
'I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us'
Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — has led the Colorado archdiocese since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained in that archdiocese in 1976 and previously served as the bishop of Fargo, North Dakota.
At the Feb. 7 press conference, the outgoing archbishop described Golka as "a man of prayer, with a deep love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother."
"He understands well many of the challenges that we face today in our country and world, with immigration, the precarious global situation, and all of the challenges undermining the dignity of human life," Aquila said. "He approaches all of these through the lens of the Gospel."
Golka described himself as "equally excited and equally sad" to come to Denver, citing both his eagerness to lead the metropolitan archdiocese and his love for the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
"Over four-and-a-half years of being there, I fell in love with the people, the parishes, the priests, the diocese," he said. "I will miss them dearly."
He said a priest asked him earlier in the week what his "agenda" would be as archbishop.
"I have no idea why God made me a bishop, but God knows," he said. "So our agenda is we're going to take time to intentionally listen to God's will, and then we're going to do it."
The archbishop-designate spoke briefly in fluent Spanish at the press conference while tearing up. "Whenever I talk in Spanish I cry," he admitted.
He also introduced his father to the crowd, joking that his family thought they were coming to have lunch with him in Denver before he revealed the major announcement.
"I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us, together," he said.
In a "farewell thank you" letter published on Feb. 7, Aquila said his heart was "filled above all with gratitude" as he prepares to enter retirement.
"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 mission," the archbishop told the archdiocese.
Aquila prayed that Golka would be "strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration, and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive."
Golka lead the Colorado Springs Diocese starting in 2021 after being appointed there by Pope Francis.
Born Sept. 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Golka obtained philosophy and theology degrees at Creighton University. He served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for the Native American Missions in South Dakota before attending St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota.
After obtaining master's degrees in divinity and sacramental theology, he was ordained in the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994.
During his time in the Grand Island Diocese he served in various capacities, including as director of diocesan youth, chair of the personnel board, director of ongoing formation of clergy, and on the presbyteral council.
He was consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 2021.
