New Denver archbishop is former Fargo, ND, bishop

DENVER (AP) — The pope has named Monsignor Samuel Aquila (ah-KWIL’-ah) as the archbishop for Denver, filling an important U.S. post left vacant after Archbishop Charles Chaput (chap-YEW’) moved to Philadelphia.

The 61-year-old Aquila, currently bishop of Fargo, N.D, studied at Denver's St. Thomas Seminary and worked in several Colorado parishes after his ordination in 1976.

Chaput built a reputation in Denver as a conservative leader, devoted to evangelism and outspoken about his disapproval of “cafeteria Catholics” and Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

Aquila has been outspoken in his previous post, telling a radio interviewer in December that groups like the American Civil Liberties Union are endangering the nation's future by “the removal God from anything.”

The Denver Archdiocese has scheduled a news conference for Monday morning.

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