Ceremonies Scheduled For Denver's New Archbishop

DENVER (CBS4/AP) - Denver's new archbishop is being greeted with a series of ceremonies.

The welcome ceremonies for bishop Samuel Aquila began Tuesday with prayers at a church in Northglenn.

Aquila will become the fifth archbishop of Denver during invitation-only ceremonies Wednesday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

More than 800 people are expected to attend the installation ceremony that begins at 1:15 p.m. and is expected to wrap up at about 4 p.m. Those attending include Catholic bishops and priests from around the country.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock will also be in attendance.

Aquila has roots in Denver. He was ordained in the city in 1976. Members of the Catholic faith are eager to welcome him home.

"We're so excited to have a bishop and also excited to have Archbishop Samuel Aquila because he is a Denver guy he was a priest in Denver and we're so excited to welcome him back home," said Archdiocese of Denver Chancellor James Flynn.

The position came open after Archbishop Charles Chaput moved to Philadelphia in August.

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