Tradition of Faith in Northern Colorado

Colorado’s pioneer bishop, Most Rev. Joseph Projectus Machebeuf, arrived in Denver in 1860 as a missionary priest with the Diocese of Santa Fe. In 1868, Father Machebeuf was appointed to the episcopate, and in 1887 the Vicariate of Colorado was elevated to the Diocese of Denver. Rev. Nicholas C. Matz was ordained coadjutor bishop that same year, with the right of succession. On July 10, 1889, Bishop Machebeuf died, leaving the diocese in the hands of Bishop Matz.

Most Rev. Nicholas Chrysostom Matz was recruited by Bishop Machebeuf to come to Colorado, where he was ordained into the priesthood on May 31, 1874. His enduring legacies to the archdiocese include St. Thomas Seminary (now the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization), the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Mount Olivet Cemetery. Weakened by a series of strokes, Bishop Matz died at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver on Aug. 9, 1917.

Most Rev. J. Henry Tihen was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Denver on Sept. 21, 1917. Bishop Tihen guided the Church of Colorado through troubled times. There was strong “anti-foreigner” sentiment that sprang from World War I and continued through the 1920s, when the Ku Klux Klan was exerting its influence. In poor health, Bishop Tihen resigned on Jan. 2, 1931, and took up residence at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan., where he died on Jan. 14, 1940.

The man who succeeded Bishop Tihen, Most Rev. Urban J. Vehr, headed the Church of Colorado for 36 years. Archbishop Vehr steered the Church through the Depression, World War II and the post-war boom that saw the population of Colorado soar. During his tenure, the number of Catholics tripled, and nearly 200 schools and churches were built. In keeping with Pope Paul VI’s request that bishops retire at age 75, Archbishop Vehr stepped down on Feb. 22, 1967. He died Sept. 19, 1973.

Following Archbishop Vehr’s retirement, Pope Paul VI appointed Most Rev. James V. Casey, the bishop of Lincoln, Neb., as the new archbishop of Denver on Feb. 22, 1967. Archbishop Casey expanded the role of the laity in Church affairs while grappling with the tumultuous social strife of the 1960s. He died on March 14, 1986, at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, leaving behind a legacy of social justice.

Most Rev. J. Francis Stafford was ordained a priest on Dec. 15, 1957. He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Baltimore on Feb. 29, 1976. On Nov. 16, 1982, he was appointed bishop of Memphis, Tenn. He was appointed archbishop of Denver on June 3, 1986, and received the pallium in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, on June 29, 1986. On Aug. 20, 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed Archbishop Stafford president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On Jan. 18, 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated Most Rev. J. Francis Stafford to the dignity of cardinal. The elevation ceremony took place on Feb. 21, 1998, outside St. Peter Basilica in Rome. On Oct. 3, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Stafford to head the Apostolic Penitentiary.

On Feb. 18, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., archbishop of Denver. He was installed on April 7, 1997. One of his many accomplishments is the establishment of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.