ROME, MAY 29, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Pope Benedict XVI today nominated Bishop Samuel J. Aquila as the new archbishop of Denver, Colorado, and Bishop Richard J. Malone as bishop of Buffalo, New York.
Born September 24 in Burbank, California, Bishop Samuel Joseph Aquila studied philosophy and theology at Saint Thomas Seminary in Denver. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1976 for the Archdiocese of Denver, and served as a parish priest for eleven years. In 1987, he began his studies in Rome, receiving a Licentiate in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Anselm in 1990.
After completing his studies in Rome, he was made director for the Office of Liturgy and Master of Ceremonies for the Archdiocese of Denver from 1990-1994. He also served as co-director of the Office for the continuing education of priests, secretary for Catholic education, and rector of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
He received the honorary title of Monsignor when, in 2000, he was named a Prelate of Honor by John Paul II. In 2001, he was nominated coadjutor bishop of Fargo, then as bishop following the retirement of Bishop James Sullivan. He served as interim administrator for the Diocese of Sioux Falls from 2005-2006 while still serving as the bishop of Fargo.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts on March 19, 1946, Bishop Richard Joseph Malone began his seminary training in 1964 at Saint John’s Seminary College, then later Saint John Seminary of Brighton, both in Boston. He received a degree in theology from Boston University, where he specialized in religion and education. On May 20,1972 he was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese of Boston.
Over the next 32 years, he served as associate pastor for Saint Patrick Parish in Stoneham, as a teacher at Saint Clement High School in Somerville, chaplain of Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, professor of theology and spiritual director for Boston’s major seminary, and director of campus ministry for Harvard University while serving at Saint Paul Parish in Cambridge. He was also Archdiocesan secretary for religious education from 2003-2004, serving concurrently at Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury.
He was consecrated as bishop in March, 2000 as titular bishop of Aptuca and auxiliary of Boston. In February, 2004, was made bishop of Portland, Maine. Bishop Malone also chairs the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
