James R. Golka

Last updated
His Excellency, The Most Reverend

James Robert Golka
Bishop of Colorado Springs
Diocese Colorado Springs
AppointedApril 30, 2021
InstalledJune 29, 2021
Predecessor Michael John Sheridan
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
James Robert Golka

(1966-09-22) September 22, 1966 (age 57)
Grand Island, Nebraska, US
MottoStewards of God's mysteries
Styles of
James Robert Golka
Coat of arms of James Robert Golka.svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

James Robert Golka (born September 22, 1966) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as bishop for the Diocese of Colorado Springs in Colorado since 2021. [1]

Contents

Biography

Early life

James 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 philosophy and theology degrees. 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

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. [1]

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:

Bishop of Colorado Springs

Pope Francis appointed Golka as bishop for the Diocese of Colorado Springs on April 30, 2021. [3] [4] [5] 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 were targeted by the shooter. [6]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "In wake of shooting, Colorado Springs bishop backs tighter gun control". Crux. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2024-01-29.

Episcopal succession

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Colorado Springs
2021-Present		Succeeded by
Incumbent


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