Vatican picks new bishop for Denver Archdiocese

Bill Scanlon and Lisa Ryckman

Originally published 09:07 a.m., April 10, 2008
Updated 12:03 a.m., April 11, 2008

Chris Schneider / The Rocky

Newly appointed auxiliary bishop of the Denver Archdiocese, Monsignor James Conley, has spent years at the Vatican.

One of the first orders of business for Monsignor James Conley, the Denver Archbishop's new right-hand man: learn Spanish.

The Catholic convert was named Thursday as auxiliary bishop for the 500,000 Catholics in the Denver Archdiocese, a post that has been vacant since Bishop Jose Gomez left Denver to become archbishop of San Antonio in 2005.

Unlike Gomez, Conley, 53, has no experience working with Hispanics and doesn't speak Spanish.

"I think that's a problem," said Fidel "Butch" Montoya, director of H.S. Power & Light, a Latino faith initiative. "When you think about the great ministry Archbishop Gomez had before he went to San Antonio, not having that kind of spokesperson, not only a role model but an influential voice in the community - clearly, that's a loss."

But Luis Soto, executive director of Centro Juan Diego, the Hispanic center begun by Gomez, said the fact that Conley isn't a Spanish-speaker won't matter.

"Under the leadership of Archbishop (Charles) Chaput, who doesn't speak Spanish, the Hispanic ministry has received great support and grown a lot. Having a bishop not fluent in Spanish is not going to make a difference," Soto said. "We Hispanics have a great respect for our priests and bishops, regardless of whether they speak Spanish, French, Italian or whatever. He is still our bishop."

Conley, who will be ordained as a bishop by Chaput May 30, said he plans to learn Spanish, which might be easier because of his fluency in Italian from his years at the Vatican.

"I look forward to it," he said. "Maybe I'll speak Spanish with an Italian accent."

Conley said a college humanities class initially led him to the Catholic Church.

"I found in the Catholic Church the fullness of truth and beauty," he said.

Raised mostly in the Kansas City area, Conley spent his early elementary school years in Arvada and has a cousin in Denver. After college, he worked on a Kansas farm and traveled in Europe, then entered the Catholic seminary in Wichita.

Currently pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in the Diocese of Wichita, Conley previously served 10 years in the Vatican Congregation for Bishops, where he helped choose bishops for the Pope.

"He has a lot of experience making bishops, but no experience being one," Chaput joked on Thursday.

Conley called the Archdiocese of Denver young and dynamic, and said he wants priests here to view him as a friend and brother priest.

Chaput praised his new No. 2's experience, intellect and sense of humor.

"He's done wonderful work with young adults, and as a convert himself, his energy and enthusiasm for the Catholic faith are infectious," he said. "He's a tremendous gift to the Church here in Colorado."

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Bishop-elect James Conley talks about his spiritual journey, his family and his favorite pastimes:

I was at the University of Kansas, where they had a wonderful classical humanities program. I was raised in the Presbyterian church, but I enrolled in this great books program; it was mostly pagan authors, Greek and Roman. And through studying the great books, I was introduced to truth and goodness and beauty, and questions like "Is there a God?" I discovered the Catholic Church along the way, which has a rich heritage of art and architecture and music and literature. A lot of other students were converting then, during the '70s.

My parents were not pleased at first. They thought it was just a typical phase that college kids went through, and that I'd quit after a year or so and move on to something else. But my parents were always wonderful about supporting me, and they saw I was happy. Years later, they both became Catholic. I baptized and confirmed both my mother and father. It was something I had prayed for a long time.

I like to ski - we have an annual family ski trip at the parish in Wichita, and we took two busloads of families to Copper Mountain this past February. I like to golf, and I like to run. I've been running a long time, and I did the Chicago marathon last October. I run about 12 miles a week. For me, it not only keeps me in physical shape, it also helps me spiritually and psychologically.

scanlon@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2897

• April 10, 2008

  9:28 a.m.

  MarineGrunt writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• April 10, 2008

  10:36 a.m.

  freethought writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• April 10, 2008

  10:57 a.m.

  Scott writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• April 10, 2008

  11:23 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  John9 writes:

  This is what happens when you let inmates have access to the internet: comments like the first three from MarineGrunt, freethought, and Scott. Perhaps their prison experience explains their fixation though. On the positive side, at least they took a short break from surfing porn.

• April 10, 2008

  11:47 a.m.

  freethought writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• April 10, 2008

  12:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  John9 has turned a Nelsonian blind eye to the FACT that Catholic priests have been sued and imprisoned for buggering alterboys/choirboys/etc. Additionally, John9 turned his other Nelsonian blind eye to the FACT that a number of Catholic dioceses and archdioceses have hidden these rapes by transferring the pedophile priests to other (arch)dioceses or just hiding the facts while keeping the pedophile priest.

  Seeing how John9 is already on Al Gore's invention (the internet) he should search for: pedophile priests. Google responded with 171,000 hits. Or hear is a pointer for you John9. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Ca... and scroll down to "Policies". This might just enlighten you to the reason for the wise cracks.

  Maybe if the Roman Catholic Church had handled these pedophiles correctly when discovered, i.e. turning these perverts over to the police, then the wise cracks and innuendo would not be nearly as loud.

  Scott

• April 10, 2008

  12:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  hoover06 writes:

  Sad when speaking about a man of God, people immediately launch into disgusting suggestive sexual innuendo. Monsignor Conley has obviously never been implicated in any wrongdoing and Denver should be proud to have someone of his caliber standing along side Archbishop Chaput (who by the way has always been a champion for the sick and poor of this city).

• April 10, 2008

  12:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  John9 writes:

  I haven't turned a blind eye, but neither does it make sense to turn every article related to the Catholic Church into an excuse to attack the Church. If your wisecracks are relevant to this article, then make your point, and make it in way that it will be taken seriously if you really are concerned. If you have to be insulted before you can discuss problems rationally, then don't be surprised when you're insulted.

  Why is there comparatively little outcry against the incest and pedophilia that is more prevalent in our public schools and in our society in general? I suspect the real reason is not so much concern about these problems in our culture, but disagreement with Catholic teaching on sexual issues, such as teachings against gay sex, pornography, contraception, abortion, masturbation, adultery, etc., which ironically contribute to the problem that wisecrackers are supposedly concerned about.

  Is it any wonder that the problem was worst in those places where there was the most internal resistance even among clergy to these Catholic teachings?

• April 10, 2008

  12:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  freethought writes:

  mmph mphmmm mmphm (censored) mmph!

• April 10, 2008

  12:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  John9,

  The reason for "comparatively little outcry" when abuse is found in other areas is that the other areas did not make it a habit to hide the perverts. Instead, they make it a habit of turning the perverts over to the police when they are found. THAT is the big difference between the other areas and the Roman Catholic Church.

  I actually don't give a rip on what the Roman Catholic church teaches about sex, ditto for the Mormons or any other religion.

  Scott

• April 10, 2008

  1 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jacqueline writes:

  Monsignor Conley's appointment as new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Denver is very good news! I was born and raised in Denver, and received into the Catholic Church there, but now live in California. Reading about the Archdiocese in recent years never fails to make me homesick. I'd also like to add that Jean Torkelson's earlier article, "New auxiliary bishop named to help lead Denver Catholics", was very well written, as was this one by Bill Scanlon.

• April 10, 2008

  2:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Steph writes:

  Why is there comparatively little outcry against the incest and pedophilia that is more prevalent in our public schools and in our society in general?

  IT's because priests are supposed to be holier than thou and they constantly preach against sexuality outside of marriage among other things so when one of THEM abuses a child, it shows their hypocrisy and they deserve to be ridiculed along with the corporation, er. Church that covers it up.

  You will never see deeper hypocrisy in play than any christian church.

• April 10, 2008

  3:29 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  hoover06 writes:

  Actually, the church constantly preaches to love one another, take care of the sick and the needy, have a servant/humble heart and love God with all your heart and mind.

  Yes, Christian churches also do preach against sexual immorality, and when one of its leaders is not following what he has been preaching, it is a big deal. It is an even bigger deal, actually a tragedy, when one of them preys upon children. I assure you that those that have committed these revolting crimes will receive their “reward” in one manner or another. It is unfortunate that many in the Church covered up these crimes and tried to sweep it under the rug.

  However, it does not justify demeaning a man and hurling disgusting jokes just because of his faith. Very few Muslims are terrorists, very few Irishmen are drunkards, most Germans I know are not Nazi’s, and very few priests are pedophiles. Every single priest and pastor that I have come across in my many years of churching have all been honorable, decent people. Funny how “anti-Catholicism” is the last acceptable prejudice.

• April 10, 2008

  3:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  freethought writes:

  From todays Denver Post: The Catholic Archdiocese of Denver has agreed to pay an Ohio man $300,000 for having been groped by a Fort Collins priest nine years ago.

• April 10, 2008

  4:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jconder45 writes:

  "I found in the Catholic Church the fullness of truth and beauty," he said.

  I wonder if he investigated Orthodoxy.

• April 10, 2008

  6:21 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jacqueline writes:

  It's sad that some people refuse to see any of the good and holy deeds of the Catholic Church (clergy and laity), yet are eager to shine a spotlight on every evil and scandalous deed in perpetuity. It seems like a textbook case of bigotry.

  As a fellow convert to the Catholic faith, I look forward to the gifts and insights the new auxiliary bishop will bring to his ministry.

• April 11, 2008

  7:09 a.m.

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  happymike44 writes:

  I feel the catholic church has damaged its self beyond repair.I mean it should have made an example of the first guy. This would have sent a message to the other freaks that this was not going to be tolerated.I went to a catholic church and was a altar boy too and the priest I knew never did try anything with me ever.They were good honest men of god.But now after this I just stay home and pray at my own little altar.Because I know that this is not what I want my religion to be about.

• April 11, 2008

  7:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarineGrunt writes:

  THIS is what i love about religious zealots! They feel they can say WHATEVER it is they think is correct, but if you counter them, they ask for your post to be removed. Way to go RMN!
  Now we know which crowd you STILL cater too! What does it feel like to have BEEN a news outfit at one time? Your not any more...

  John9, never been to prison or arrested! BONUS, I have never had sex with a little boy while in a position of trust! Can you say the same? HEY, and just because my porn is centered about your mom, wife and family don't take cheap shots!!!

  Good Deeds of the Church?
  Who own the most land in the world and is just sitting on it? The Church! All that land and money and folks still stave in death.

  Who turned a blind eye to the mass killing of Jews in WW2? The Church! Why not allow the mass killing of your rival religion?

  How many war were started by the Church? Peoples lives changed because the church said they worshiped the devil? Shall I go on or would you like to discuss how the church has continued to hide its true intentions? I mean... they changed the bible to suite there needs, why stop there?

  Think, Jacquelin, for yourself!

• April 11, 2008

  7:43 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  GWM writes:

  grunt, I have seen the Rocky go way overboard in censorship on these blogs. You are learning about the real RMN and how their agenda is so one sided.

• April 11, 2008

  8:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  They didn't like comment about a "trumpet" either ;-) I wonder if
  they'll nuke this comment too? ;-)

  Scott

• April 11, 2008

  9:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarineGrunt writes:

  I am sure if the zealots come back... they will!

• April 11, 2008

  10:50 a.m.

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  Scott writes:

  MarineGrunt,

  You have to admit that the first three comments, yours, freethought's and mine, were darn crude. However, they did miss freethought's third comment ;-)

  Scott

• April 11, 2008

  10:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  GWM,

  I'll respectfully disagree with your last posting. The stuff that RMN nuked was darn crude, including my nuked comment. However, the later comments, e.g. my Apr 10, 12:03 and Steph at Apr 10, 2:17, slammed the catholic church pretty hard and those two are still up.

  Scott

• April 11, 2008

  12:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MarineGrunt writes:

  Scott,

  It may have been off color, but show me what was factually incorrect about my comment. You yourself have made just as crude a comment as I put in here in other posts, but now talking about god, your offended?

  tisk tisk

• April 11, 2008

  1:06 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GWM writes:

  scott, I accept your respect you squid. :-)

  Now seriously, crude, rude, off thread? So? I absolutely agree that no one should be able to curse, say lies, promote rebellion, etc. But most of the comments that have been deleted were in jest. I had one deleted because it said something funny (yes to me and others) about a Jew. I love the Jews. I feel I am descended from Abraham (as likely you are). But if we can't have a little fun as we move along (within bounds) then let's turn this whole thing over to the liberals because that is what the RMN is. "Trouser trout" was left up, but much less offensive posts were stricken. You said one of your posts slammed the catholic church and was left up. Just try to slam the Jews and see what happens to your posts.

• April 11, 2008

  1:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  MarineGrunt, Naw, I'm not offended/mad/pissedoff/etc. and my 10:50 post stated that my comments were the same level as yours and freethought's. Also, all three of us are factually correct. It is just the way that you, freethought and I stated it, kinda' crude, but darn funny! I'm just sticking up for RMN in what they removed, its Mickey Mouse, but then this is their web site.

  GWM, I didn't say off thread. I still think that the first three posts (mine included) were crude, but what the hey, we were having fun. I know, some people can't handle rough humor even when it is factually correct. Yes, I too have seen RMN remove some posts, but leave cruder/nastier/etc. posts. Lastly, I accept your acceptance of my respect ... WING-WIPER! :-)

  Scott

• April 11, 2008

  2:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  happymike44 writes:

  First of all many catholic priest are good decent caring god fearing men.It just seems that a few people hijacked the religion and did not do the right thing.Also the comment about doing nothing for the jews is a lie.Many priest offered sancuary to the jews at the expense of their own lives.So there were people who were doing the best they could during a very ugly chapter in world history.But for every person smuggling someone out.There was ten people turning them in.So if you think things would have been different with you personally in charge of smuggling guess again.I grew up with a few kids whose parents were lucky to get out of holland.The nazis came for her family three times and they were lucky enough to be out.These kids parents were smuggled out of Holland to America.In case you did not understand any act a person did against the nazis was a instant death sentence.This included you and your whole family.That means they rounded up all your known relatives and executed them as well.So it seems easy to say I would have done this or I could have done that.But in pratical application what few jews that survived were very lucky and very determined to survive.So don't blame the holocaust on the catholic church.Unless you know the whole story then keep your opinion to yourself.Because I have known these people all my life and probably know more about it then you will ever know.

• April 11, 2008

  3:31 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GWM writes:

  Yeah, Scott, you are on point. Most are only having fun. RMN is either losing its humor or cannot stand certain points. I think I understand them, but learn more about their bias every day.

  You are a good man "barnacle scraper".

• April 11, 2008

  4:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jconder45 writes:

  NotChasB- I am very critical of the Catholic Church, and I don't support illegal immigation. But you don't have to be all that bright to know that there are already thousands of Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Denver area, many if not most of them here legally. So your comment was pretty stupid, besides being offensive.

• April 11, 2008

  4:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jacqueline writes:

  MarineGrunt, I do try to think for myself. And I think all of your allegations about the Catholic Church in your last post are untrue. Let's take the last one: you state that the Church "changed the Bible to suit their needs". Why do you think that? Do you have any proof?

• April 11, 2008

  5:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GWM writes:

  OH Jacqueline!! Over hundreds and hundreds of years *everyone* has changed the bible to suit their purposes. This is from a Christian believer. What bible today do you want to believe? Can you tell me which one is the most accurate? Can you tell me it contains all the books that were written? Can you tell me that Revelations saying there will be no more scripture is true? Was it written at the end or in the middle. I BELIEVE in Christianity, and cannot believe you do not believe there are multiple scriptures to look at.

• April 11, 2008

  10:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Tommy writes:

  I was born and raised Catholic. When my wife and I married, we married with the Protestants. When my daughter was Baptized, she was baptized Protestant.

  I broke countless generations of Catholicism in my family because the Catholic Church doesn't support Americas sovereignty, and it's focus on supporting illegal aliens.

  The church should be open to all, but the church has been attacking our homeland by demanding that we absorb people from a culture that doesn’t want to integrate into our culture. That’s a problem for me.

• April 14, 2008

  11:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rg writes:

  The church makes amends: It has paid out $2 billion for altar boy abuse per force; the pope prays for peace that never comes; plus: “Let us pray for the Jews. May the Lord Our god enlighten their hearts so that they may acknowledge Jesus Christ, the savior of all men….,” says Pope Benedict a member of the Nazi youth and in charge of the Office of Inquisition until he became Pope dressing in attire resembling that of medicine men with funny pointed hats. Pope Benny is on his way to America to continue his intervention in America’s legislative process. Richard Grimes, deicide, slayer of all gods.

  Deicide Corner: I am of Catholic culture, Catholic tradition, Catholic belief, even if my religious practice is episodic. French President Nicolas Sarkozy [Hitler, also, was Catholic episodically. rg]