Last Saturday’s announcement that Pope Leo XIV had promoted Diocese of Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka to fill the seat of archbishop of Denver was unexpected news for many Catholics.

“His appointment came as a surprise to me and carried with it feelings of sadness and loss,” said Bishop Emeritus Richard Hanifen, who was the first leader of the local diocese from its founding in 1984 to his retirement in 2003.

The Vatican named Golka, who has presided over the Colorado Springs diocese’s 190,000 Catholics for the past five years, to oversee the larger Archdiocese of Denver, which encompasses more than 600,000 Catholics in 148 parishes and 31 Catholic schools.

Golka succeeds the man who ordained him as bishop of the Colorado Springs diocese on June 29, 2021, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila. He turned 75 years old last September, the age at which church clergy are required to submit an intent of retirement.

Over the past five years, Golka has proven himself to be “a great and compassionate leader who listens and takes advice,” Hanifen said. “The Diocese of Colorado Springs has benefited from his pastoral leadership; Bishop Golka brought the diocese through many difficult circumstances and did so with composure and patience.”

Some of the struggles were related to Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, which announced on Feb. 1, 2024, that the organization was facing a budget shortfall of more than $628,000, due to decreased donations amid a surge of demand for its charitable services that include a soup kitchen and employment center. The agency rebounded and last year opened a housing campus for families leaving homelessness.

Closing Divine Redeemer Catholic School last year also was a painful development for the diocese, some note.

Among his accomplishments, Golka, 59, recorded a popular series of weekly videos containing reflections on the Sunday readings.

He also led the merger of two parishes, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Divine Redeemer, and the subsequent creation of the first diocesan shrine, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Divine Redeemer.

He has held two important roles, currently serving as episcopal moderator of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference, a national professional organization, and a board member of Cross Catholic Outreach, an international missionary ministry.

Golka is no longer bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs; as of the Vatican’s Feb. 7 announcement, “he immediately became the archbishop-designate of Denver and the administrator of the Diocese of Colorado Springs,” said Veronica Ambuul, spokeswoman for the local diocese.

Golka will continue to be in charge as administrator in Colorado Springs until he’s installed in his new role on March 25 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.

“While I am excited to discover God’s plan for me in the Archdiocese of Denver, I am also very sad to be leaving the Diocese of Colorado Springs,” Golka said in a statement issued Feb. 7. “I have grown to love the people and parishes of our diocese. Be assured of my continued prayers for you.”

At a press conference last Saturday announcing his new appointment, Golka reflected on prayer, trust in God and his hope for “walking together” as the Archdiocese of Denver’s next shepherd.

Born in Nebraska as the fourth child of 10, Golka was named the third bishop of the Colorado Springs diocese on April 30, 2021.

He arrived in Colorado Springs as Father James Golka, having been a parish priest for 27 years. He grew up in Grand Island, Neb., and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. He served in his hometown for five years prior to relocating here.

Those who have gotten to know Golka personally say he has retained his reputation as a personable man of deep faith who focuses on trust in God to guide his way in nurturing the spirituality of his flock.

Benedictine Sister Marie Therese “MT” Summers, prioress of Benet Hill Monastery, said she immediately reached out to Golka when she heard about his new appointment. She said she felt sad he was leaving but proud of him.

“The Colorado church and the universal Catholic church need him and his gifts he will bring as archbishop,” she said.

The sisters at Benet Hill also were surprised Golka was departing Colorado Springs just short of five years into the post. Summers was installed as prioress about the same time as Golka was made bishop, and the two talked about being the newcomers.

Summers defines Golka’s leadership style as “collaborative.”

“He states his values and invites you onto the journey with him,” she said. “He’s pastoral, centered on gospel values and a healer of wounds.”

Summers said one day she envisions being able to say she knew Golka when he was a bishop here because she has a feeling his talents are destined for larger roles.

Golka told The Gazette in an interview in July, following his episcopal ordination for the Diocese of Colorado Springs on June 29, 2021, that becoming a bishop wasn’t his plan.

“So, God must have a better plan. He always does,” Golka said.

“One does not apply” for the position of bishop, he said five years ago, describing the work as not a job but a calling from God. “I didn’t know I was up for consideration until I got the phone call about the whole process,” he told The Gazette.

History seems to be repeating itself for Golka.

Hanifen, who grew up in Denver and started his life as a priest in the Archdiocese of Denver, said while he will miss Golka, whom he considers a close friend, he will “rejoice for the people of Denver that they have Bishop Golka as their new archbishop.”

It is unknown when the Holy See will appoint a successor bishop for the Colorado Springs diocese, which stretches geographically from the metro area east to the Kansas border, north to Castle Rock and Parker, west for several counties into Buena Vista and Leadville, and south to the El Paso County border.

“Canon law does not stipulate a certain length of time within which a new bishop must be named,” Ambuul said. “It could take the Vatican six to eight months or longer to announce the appointment.”

In the meantime, she said, Pope Leo XIV may name the bishop of another diocese or an auxiliary bishop as apostolic administrator of Colorado Springs.

However, if no apostolic administrator is named before Golka’s installation next month, the College of Consultors, a body made up of six diocesan priests, must meet within eight days and elect a priest administrator.

“The priest who is elected would have canonical authority to govern the diocese but not the authority to carry out those functions reserved to bishops, such as priestly ordinations,” Ambuul explained.

The reigning pope appoints all bishops of the church, with help from hierarchy. Behind the scenes, a Vatican ambassador known as the apostolic nuncio “reviews a list of suitable candidates provided by the local bishops,” Ambuul said.

A list of three names are selected and sent to the dicastery, a Vatican department that advises the pope on such appointments.

For now, it’s business as usual in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, according to Ambuul.

“Parishes in the diocese will continue to function as normal. While some special events may be affected, the faithful should not experience any disruption in the day-to-day activities of their parish.”