LISTEN | ‘God is madly in love with each human being’: Archbishop-designate Golka on Dan Caplis Show

André Escaleira, Jr., Denver Catholic

In his first media appearance in Northern Colorado since his announcement as the sixth Archbishop of Denver, Archbishop-designate Golka talked faith, family, discernment, prayer and evangelization.

Archbishop-designate James Golka emphasized a deep trust in God, rooted in a profound prayer life, during his first media appearance in Northern Colorado since his announcement as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic)

When asked what he would say to the seeking and the curious, to those that might not know God, Archbishop-designate James Golka had a simple and sincere answer: God loves you.

“God is madly in love with each human being. God created you for a purpose and a reason, and we’re never going to know that reason unless we let God reveal it to us,” he said. “I always think, and some of the saints said, I’m trying hard to get to Heaven, but the more I get to know God, the more I know that God is working harder to get me to Heaven than I am. That’s how much God cares for us.

“So if you’re feeling alone, if there’s an emptiness in your life, we have a God who can fill that — and he wants to,” the archbishop-designate continued. “He’ll give you an abundance of life if you ask him and let him.”

The poignant moment came at the end of Archbishop-designate Golka’s first media appearance in Northern Colorado, an interview on the Dan Caplis Show. Earlier in the interview, he discussed his reaction to the new assignment, his background and his prayer life and discernment before addressing immigration and pro-life issues.

“It’s another chance to trust God again and to trust that he’s got something wonderful there,” Archbishop-designate Golka said, reflecting on the news of his assignment as Archbishop of Denver. “My main emotions are, I really am grieving leaving Colorado Springs. I have come to love this community and diocese, and the priests. I don’t feel like I’m abandoning them, but I do feel like God has called me somewhere else. I’m excited about that, and every day I grow more excited.”

Among the things the new shepherd of Northern Colorado is most excited about are getting to know the Archdiocese’s priests and visiting her parishes and schools, especially those in more rural communities.

“I really look forward to getting to know our priests. I think, as a bishop, one of my primary cares is for our priests. If we have priests that are holy and healthy and happy, then we’re going to have parishes that are the same,” he said. “I really look forward to visiting the parishes — they’re all unique. I grew up in Nebraska, so I can’t wait to get to the rural parts of the archdiocese. And I’m a Catholic school guy, and so I really can’t wait to visit our schools and see if I can support them in some way.”

But at the core of it all — his agenda as archbishop, his excitement, opinions, and hopes — is a profound trust in God and a deep prayer life.

“It’s been so clear to me that if I don’t [spend time in silence with Jesus], I get lost and in trouble, so it’s really the heart of my day,” Archbishop-designate Golka said.

To listen to the full interview on the Dan Caplis Show, click here.