Colorado Springs, Colo: Pope Francis named Father James Golka, a priest of the Diocese of Grand Island, Neb., as the third Bishop of Colorado Springs on last Friday.

Bishop-elect Golka has served as Vicar General for the Diocese of Grand Island and as Rector of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was reportedly ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grand Island on June 3, 1994, by Bishop Lawrence McNamara. Bishop-elect Golka is excited to be appointed to this new position.

"I am incredibly humbled and excited for the opportunity to join in the ministry and mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs," said Bishop-elect Golka. "I ask for your prayers; please be assured of mine."

He will reportedly take the place of Bishop Sheridan, who submitted his resignation to the Pope after turning 75 on March 4, 2020, and knows the Bishop-elect will do a great job.

"Bishop-elect Golka has already shown himself to be not only a skilled administrator, but also a man of prayer," said Bishop Sheridan. "I believe that he will serve the people of this diocese very well."

Bishop elect Golka is the grandson of Lawrence natives, Hubert and Louise Ostdiek. He is the son of son of Pat Ostdiek Golka and Robert Golka, now living in Grand Island.

Bishop elect Golka has aunts and uncles living in Lawrence, Superior, Blue Hill, Lincoln and Gretna. Several more live out of state. In addition he has many, many cousins and relatives scattered across Nebraska and the United States.

His ordination and installation will take place on June 29 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

He will be the fifth native Nebraskan to serve the Catholic Church in the position of Bishop.