Resignation

Pope Leo XIV appoints Texas cardinal as administrator of Amarillo until new bishop chosen #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Feb. 14 accepted the resignation of Amarillo Bishop Patrick Zurek, appointing Cardinal Daniel DiNardo to serve as apostolic administrator of the Texas diocese until a permanent replacement can be found. Zurek has served as the Amarillo bishop for nearly 20 years, having been appointed to the post by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. He had previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The diocese on its website identifies him as "the longest serving Bishop in the history of the Diocese of Amarillo." At 77 he was two years past the customary retirement age for bishops. DiNardo previously served as the archbishop of Galveston-Houston from 2006 to 2025. He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. He has served as both the president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Religious sister named deputy director of Vatican press officeOn Feb. 13, meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić, MVZ as deputy director of the Holy See Press Office. The first religious sister to serve in the role, Krapić previously served in the Dicastery for Communications. Vatican News reported that she has also worked "as a journalist and as a legal advisor for women victims of domestic violence and other marginalized individuals."She is currently studying for a doctorate in social sciences at the Collegium Maximum of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. She will take up the post in the Vatican press office in March 1. Krapić replaces Cristiane Murray in the press role. Murray was appointed to the position by Pope Francis in 2019 after having worked for Vatican Radio for more than 25 years.
Read More

Pope Leo XIV appoints Texas cardinal as administrator of Amarillo until new bishop chosen #Catholic Pope Leo XIV on Feb. 14 accepted the resignation of Amarillo Bishop Patrick Zurek, appointing Cardinal Daniel DiNardo to serve as apostolic administrator of the Texas diocese until a permanent replacement can be found. Zurek has served as the Amarillo bishop for nearly 20 years, having been appointed to the post by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. He had previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The diocese on its website identifies him as "the longest serving Bishop in the history of the Diocese of Amarillo." At 77 he was two years past the customary retirement age for bishops. DiNardo previously served as the archbishop of Galveston-Houston from 2006 to 2025. He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. He has served as both the president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Religious sister named deputy director of Vatican press officeOn Feb. 13, meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić, MVZ as deputy director of the Holy See Press Office. The first religious sister to serve in the role, Krapić previously served in the Dicastery for Communications. Vatican News reported that she has also worked "as a journalist and as a legal advisor for women victims of domestic violence and other marginalized individuals."She is currently studying for a doctorate in social sciences at the Collegium Maximum of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. She will take up the post in the Vatican press office in March 1. Krapić replaces Cristiane Murray in the press role. Murray was appointed to the position by Pope Francis in 2019 after having worked for Vatican Radio for more than 25 years.

unitedyam

The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Amarillo Bishop Patrick Zurek, who has reached retirement age.

Read More
Cardinal Dolan to co-lead New York Police Department’s chaplains’ unit #Catholic New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is naming Cardinal Timothy Dolan to co-lead the NYPD’s chaplain’s unit.Dolan, who recently retired as archbishop of New York, will serve alongside Rev. A.R. Bernard, pastor and founder of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, according to a Feb. 9 press release from the archdiocese. Tisch is expected to announce the appointment during her Feb. 10 “State of the NYPD” address.“For more than a century, our Chaplains Unit has made sure that our officers never have to carry the tremendous weight of their work alone. They’ve helped officers find their better angels and remember the calling that lives at the heart of this work,” Tisch said in a statement. Tisch, who is Jewish, said that when contemplating whom she might choose to fill the role, “one word kept coming to mind — ‘tzadik,’ a person of righteousness.”“Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. A.R. Bernard are two of the most righteous people this city has ever known,” she said. “They are two men of incredible faith whose lives and leadership embody the moral clarity, compassion, and wisdom our officers rely on in their hardest moments.”Tisch commended both faith leaders for helping to “shape the spiritual life of this city through leadership that reaches far beyond their pulpits.”“Their decision to serve the NYPD speaks to something enduring between faith and policing, and to the place the chief chaplain role has long held in the lives of the men and women who wear the shield,” she added.Dolan and Bernard will replace longtime Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, who died in October 2025.News of Dolan’s appointment comes days after the installation of New York City’s new archbishop, Ronald Hicks, on Feb. 6. Dolan’s resignation was accepted by Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 18, 2025.
Read More

Cardinal Dolan to co-lead New York Police Department’s chaplains’ unit #Catholic New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is naming Cardinal Timothy Dolan to co-lead the NYPD’s chaplain’s unit.Dolan, who recently retired as archbishop of New York, will serve alongside Rev. A.R. Bernard, pastor and founder of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, according to a Feb. 9 press release from the archdiocese. Tisch is expected to announce the appointment during her Feb. 10 “State of the NYPD” address.“For more than a century, our Chaplains Unit has made sure that our officers never have to carry the tremendous weight of their work alone. They’ve helped officers find their better angels and remember the calling that lives at the heart of this work,” Tisch said in a statement. Tisch, who is Jewish, said that when contemplating whom she might choose to fill the role, “one word kept coming to mind — ‘tzadik,’ a person of righteousness.”“Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. A.R. Bernard are two of the most righteous people this city has ever known,” she said. “They are two men of incredible faith whose lives and leadership embody the moral clarity, compassion, and wisdom our officers rely on in their hardest moments.”Tisch commended both faith leaders for helping to “shape the spiritual life of this city through leadership that reaches far beyond their pulpits.”“Their decision to serve the NYPD speaks to something enduring between faith and policing, and to the place the chief chaplain role has long held in the lives of the men and women who wear the shield,” she added.Dolan and Bernard will replace longtime Chief Chaplain Rabbi Alvin Kass, who died in October 2025.News of Dolan’s appointment comes days after the installation of New York City’s new archbishop, Ronald Hicks, on Feb. 6. Dolan’s resignation was accepted by Pope Leo XIV on Dec. 18, 2025.

unitedyam

Cardinal Timothy Dolan will work part time as co-lead of the NYPD’s chaplain unit, the archdiocese confirmed.

Read More
Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop James Golka to lead Archdiocese of Denver #Catholic Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka will lead the Archdiocese of Denver after Archbishop Samuel Aquila steps down from the post, the Vatican announced on Feb. 7.Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — has led the Colorado archdiocese since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained in that archdiocese in 1976 and previously served as the bishop of Fargo, North Dakota.In a “farewell thank you” letter published on Feb. 7, Aquila said his heart was “filled above all with gratitude” as he prepares to enter retirement. “From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, communion, and mission,” the archbishop told the archdiocese. Aquila prayed that Golka would be “strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration, and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive.” Golka has lead the Colorado Springs Diocese since 2021 after being appointed there by Pope Francis.Born Sept. 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Golka obtained philosophy and theology degrees at Creighton University. He served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for the Native American Missions in South Dakota before attending St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. After obtaining master’s degrees in divinity and sacramental theology, he was ordained in the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. During his time in the Grand Island Diocese he served in various capacities, including as director of diocesan youth, chair of the personnel board, director of ongoing formation of clergy, and on the presbyteral council.Upon being named as bishop of Colorado Springs in 2021, Golka said he aimed to help the faithful “become fascinated by the Lord.”“I’m fascinated by Jesus Christ,” Golka said at the time. “It’s a gift that God gave me as a boy. I remember as a second-grader getting my first children’s Bible. I loved reading the stories of Jesus.”He was consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 2021.The Archdiocese of Denver will host a press conference on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. EST to introduce Bishop-designate Golka. Watch the press conference here.
Read More

Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop James Golka to lead Archdiocese of Denver #Catholic Colorado Springs Bishop James Golka will lead the Archdiocese of Denver after Archbishop Samuel Aquila steps down from the post, the Vatican announced on Feb. 7.Aquila — who at 75 has reached the customary retirement age for prelates — has led the Colorado archdiocese since 2012, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained in that archdiocese in 1976 and previously served as the bishop of Fargo, North Dakota.In a “farewell thank you” letter published on Feb. 7, Aquila said his heart was “filled above all with gratitude” as he prepares to enter retirement. “From the beginning of my ministry here, I have been convinced that the Lord is at work among us, calling us ever more deeply to conversion, communion, and mission,” the archbishop told the archdiocese. Aquila prayed that Golka would be “strengthened by your prayers, encouraged by your collaboration, and sustained by the grace of the office he will receive.” Golka has lead the Colorado Springs Diocese since 2021 after being appointed there by Pope Francis.Born Sept. 22, 1966, in Grand Island, Nebraska, Golka obtained philosophy and theology degrees at Creighton University. He served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for the Native American Missions in South Dakota before attending St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. After obtaining master’s degrees in divinity and sacramental theology, he was ordained in the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994. During his time in the Grand Island Diocese he served in various capacities, including as director of diocesan youth, chair of the personnel board, director of ongoing formation of clergy, and on the presbyteral council.Upon being named as bishop of Colorado Springs in 2021, Golka said he aimed to help the faithful “become fascinated by the Lord.”“I’m fascinated by Jesus Christ,” Golka said at the time. “It’s a gift that God gave me as a boy. I remember as a second-grader getting my first children’s Bible. I loved reading the stories of Jesus.”He was consecrated as a bishop on June 29, 2021.The Archdiocese of Denver will host a press conference on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. EST to introduce Bishop-designate Golka. Watch the press conference here.

unitedyam

The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Archbishop Samuel Aquila, the Holy See announced on Feb. 7.

Read More