Samuel J. Aquila
Samuel Joseph Aquila is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the fifth archbishop of Denver. He previously served as the seventh bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo in North Dakota. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors at FOCUS.Biography
Aquila was born on September 24, 1950 in Burbank, California and ordained a priest in 1976 for the Archdiocese of Denver. From 1999 to 2001 he was the first rector of St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver and Chief Executive Officer of Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute. In 2000, Pope John Paul II named him an Honorary Prelate.In 2001 he was named coadjutor Bishop of Fargo, receiving his episcopal ordination then, and went on to become Bishop of Fargo on March 18, 2002, succeeding Bishop James Sullivan.
From 2005 to 2006, Aquila served as interim administrator of the Diocese of Sioux Falls in South Dakota until the consecration of Paul J. Swain as bishop of that diocese in October 2006.Archbishop of Denver
On May 29, 2012, Aquila was named archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver. Aquila was installed in a ceremony on July 18 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.Episcopal succession
