The Archdiocese of Denver is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for Denver, Colorado and the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld in the northern part of the state. The current head of the Archdiocese is Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput, OFM.
The Latin title of the Archdiocese is Archidioecesis Denveriensis, and the corporate title is Archdiocese of Denver. The Archdiocese covers and area of 40,154 square miles (104 km²). The Archdiocese is part of the XIII Conference Region. There are 113 parishes, 307 priests, and an estimated 373,500 Catholics living in the Archdiocese.
History
Originally, the area that now makes up the Archdiocese was part of the Diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1868 territory was taken from that Diocese to form the Vicariate Apostolic of Colorado and Utah. In 1870, the name was changed to the Vicariate Apostolic of Colorado. The Diocese of Denver was created on August 16, 1887. This new Diocese covered the entire state of Colorado when it was first established.
On November 15, 1941 two events took place. Territory was taken from the Diocese of Denver to form the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, and the Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese. On November 10, 1983, territory was taken from both the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Pueblo to form the Diocese of Colorado Springs.
Ordinaries
- Bishop Joseph Projectus Machebeuf - March 3, 1868 - July 10, 1889 (His Death)
- Bishop Nicholas Chrysostom Matz - July 10, 1889 - August 9, 1917 (His Death)
- Bishop John Henry Tihen - September 21, 1917 - January 6, 1931 (Resigned)
- Archbishop Urban John Vehr - April 17, 1931 - February 18, 1967 (Retired)
- Archbishop James Vincent Casey - February 18, 1967 - March 14, 1986 (His Death)
- Cardinal James Francis Stafford - June 3, 1986 - August 20, 1996. (Reassigned as President of Laity at the Vatican)
- Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. - Appointed on March 18, 1997 (Current Archbishop.)
