Pope Leo XIV has appointed James R. Golka as the next Archbishop of Denver, according to an announcement from Vatican News released Feb. 7, 2026.
Before his rise to national prominence within the Catholic Church, Golka spent 10 years serving in North Platte, a period that marked a significant chapter in his priestly and pastoral career.
Golka was assigned to St. Patrick’s Parish in North Platte in 2006, where he served as pastor until 2016. During that decade, he led parish operations, oversaw parish ministries, and worked closely with families, parishioners, and the parish school as part of the Diocese of Grand Island…