The Post Chimes In

From Eric Gorski at the Denver paper

Nickless' tone to victims was an apologetic one, according to letters that White accusers have provided to the Denver Post. Nickless wrote one man in 1994, "I want to express my apology for what you state has happened to you. The behavior you described is totally unacceptable and is not tolerated by anyone in the Archdiocese of Denver."

The choice of Nickless could be viewed as further evidence of the growing influence of the Denver archdiocese's conservative brand of Catholicism.

Earlier this year, Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jose Gomez was elevated to archbishop of San Antonio, Texas, perhaps the country's preeminent Latino diocese. Chaput has petitioned the Vatican for a replacement, but the position remains vacant.

In 2001, the Rev. Samuel Aquila became the first Denver priest in three decades to be elevated to bishop when he was appointed to the diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. Aquila was the founding rector of St. John Vianney Seminary.

Aquila's actually on double duty now -- he was named apostolic administrator of Sioux Falls earlier this year when Bob Carlson moved to Saginaw....

But if there's any place where reinforcements can be easily found, it's Denver. Just the other day, Archbishop Chaput said that he'll be ordaining 14 new priests there between now and June.
Talk about your high numbers.

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