Samuel Joseph Aquila (/əkwiːlə/; born September 24, 1950) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop of Denver since 2012. He previously served as Bishop of Fargo and is on the board of directors for FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).
Aquila was born on September 24, 1950, in Burbank, California. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop James Casey on June 5, 1976, for the Archdiocese of Denver. From 1999 to 2001, Aquila served as the first rector of St. John Vianney Seminary and chief executive officer of the Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute at St. John Vianney. In 2000, Pope John Paul II named Aquila an honorary prelate (monsignor).
On May 29, 2001, Pope John Paul II named Aquila as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Fargo. He was consecrated on August 24, 2001, by Archbishop Harry Flynn.[1] Aquila automatically became 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 until the consecration of Paul J. Swain in October 2006.[2][3]
On May 29, 2012, Aquila was named by Pope Benedict XVI as Archbishop of Denver.[4] Aquila was installed in a ceremony on July 18 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.[5]
