Samuel J. Aquila

Biography

Early life

Samuel Aquila was born on September 24, 1950, in Burbank, California. He was ordained a priest at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver by Archbishop James Casey on June 5, 1976, for the Archdiocese of Denver.

In 1999, Archbishop Charles Chaput appointed Aquila as rector of the new St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. He was also named chief executive officer of the Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute at the seminary. In 2000, Pope John Paul II named Aquila as an honorary prelate (monsignor).

Coadjutor bishop and bishop of Fargo

On May 29, 2001, John Paul II appointed Aquila as coadjutor bishop of Fargo to assist Bishop James Sullivan. Aquila was consecrated at Saint Mary Cathedral in Fargo on August 24, 2001, by Archbishop Harry Flynn. Aquila became bishop of Fargo on March 18, 2002, when Sullivan retired.

In 2005, the Vatican named Aquila to also serve as the interim administrator of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. His role in Sioux Falls ended with the consecration of Monsignor Paul J. Swain as the new bishop in October 2006.

Archbishop of Denver

On May 29, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Aquila as archbishop of Denver. He was installed on July 18, 2012, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.

Aquila in 2018 released a letter on the sexual abuse charges against then Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Aquila said that a culture of selfishness and deviated sexual morals, which he claimed had increased since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, has deceived clergies and lay people into such behaviors. He urged the Church to return to its principles of human dignity and love founded in Christ.

In September 2024, Aquila denounced Amendment 79, a proposed amendment to the Colorado State Constitution that would codify abortion rights for women in the state. He commented;This proposition does three things contrary to the dignity of the human person: it creates a constitutional right to unrestricted abortion for all 40 weeks of pregnancy, eliminates parental notification laws and allows for taxpayer funding for abortions, which is currently prohibited.Amendment 79 passed in November 2024 with a 61% majority.

Archbishop Aquila submitted his resignation to Pope Leo XIV on September 24, 2025, his 75th birthday, as required by canon law within the Catholic Church. {{cite web |title=Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila submits resignation |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2025/09/19/denver-archbishop-samuel-aquila-resignation/

References

References

1. "Archbishop Samuel Joseph Aquila [Catholic-Hierarchy]".
2. "Our Archbishop".
3. (May 29, 2012). "Pope Appoints New Archbishop Of Denver".
4. "Archbishop Samuel Joseph Aquila [Catholic-Hierarchy]".
5. "Catholic Diocese of Fargo, ND - Office of the Bishop".
6. "Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls".
7. Medlin, Marianne. (May 29, 2012). "Pope appoints Fargo bishop to lead Denver archdiocese".
8. Draper, Electa. (May 29, 2012). "Vatican names Samuel J. Aquila Catholic archbishop in Denver".
9. CNA. "Denver archbishop reflects on McCarrick abuse crisis".
10. (2024-09-27). ""NO" ON 79: Archbishop urges opposition to dangerous pro-abortion amendment {{!}} Denver Catholic".
11. Tassy, Elaine. (2024-11-05). "Colorado voters approve constitutional amendment on abortion access".