Pope Accepts Resignation of Bishop James S. Sullivan; Bishop Samuel J. Aquila Succeeds in Fargo
WASHINGTON (March 18, 2002) -- Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Bishop James S. Sullivan of Fargo, North Dakota. Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, who was named Coadjutor Bishop of Fargo last June, will now become Ordinary of the diocese.
Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, made the announcement.
Samuel Joseph Aquila was born September 24, 1950, in Burbank, California.
He studied at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, where he earned an M.A. in Theology, and at San Anselmo in Rome, where he earned the S.T.L. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver on June 5, 1976.
Bishop Aquila was assistant pastor, St. Mary parish, Colorado Springs, from 1976 to 1979; assistant at Christ the King, Denver, 1979-1982; pastor, Guardian Angels parish, Denver, 1982-1987; and Dean of the West Denver Deanery and member, Presbyterial Council, 1986-1987.
From 1990 to 1994 he was Director of Liturgy and Co-Director of the Department of Continuing Education of Priests, and from 1994 to 1999 archdiocesan Secretary for Catholic Education.
Bishop Aquila was serving as Rector of St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver, when he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Fargo, June 12, 2001.
James S. Sullivan was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, July 23, 1929. Ordained a priest of
the Diocese of Lansing June 4, 1955, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Lansing July 13, 1972 and appointed Bishop of Fargo April 2, 1985.
The Diocese of Fargo was established November 12, 1889 (originally Diocese of Jamestown). It comprises 30 counties in the State of North Dakota and has a Catholic population of nearly 99,000 in a total population of 391,000.