Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen
Encyclopedia
Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen (born June 15, 1931) is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He was the first Bishop of Colorado Springs
, serving from 1984 to 2003. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of Denver
(1974-84).
, the third of four children of Edward Anselm and Dorothy Elizabeth (née Ranous) Hanifen. His grandfather immigrated from Canada
to Leadville
during the 1880s silver boom
, and eventually became a successful mine
owner; Hanifen's father co-founded a prominent Colorado investment
firm. As a child, Hanifen suffered from chronic asthma
. He received his early education at the parochial school
of St. Philomena Church, where he occasionally served as an altar boy
. He attended Regis High School
while working as a delivery boy for a grocery store.
After graduating from high school in 1949, Hanifen enrolled at Regis College
in Denver. He earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in accounting from Regis in 1953. He then began his studies for the priesthood
at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver. During his studies, he and fellow seminarian Eugene John Gerber
were selected to participate in an experimental pairing between St. Thomas and the Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.
He later earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
degree from Catholic University in 1959.
a priest by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor
at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Estes Park
. He then served at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception until 1966, when he was sent to further his studies at Catholic University. He there earned a Master of Arts
degree in guidance and counseling in 1966.
In 1968, Hanifen earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
from the Pontifical Lateran University
in Rome
. During his time in Rome, he and some of his fellow students took a trip to Florence
, during which they experienced the devastating flood of the River Arno
. Following his return to Denver, he served as vice-chancellor
of the archdiocese and secretary to Archbishop James V. Casey from 1968 to 1969. From 1969 to 1976, he served as chancellor of the archdiocese.
of Denver and Titular Bishop
of Abercorn
ia by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following September 20 from Archbishop Casey, with Bishops George R. Evans and Charles A. Buswell
serving as co-consecrators
. As an auxiliary bishop, he served as episcopal vicar
for the southern area of the archdiocese from 1975 to 1984.
Hanifen was in Rome for a one-month study sabbatical when Pope John Paul I
was elected in the papal conclave
of August 1978; he later participated in the new pope's Inauguration Mass
on September 3 of that year.
of the newly-erected Diocese of Colorado Springs
by Pope John Paul II
. The new diocese encompassed 15560 square miles (40,300.2 km²), being composed of Chaffee
, Cheyenne
, Douglas
, Elbert
, El Paso
, Kit Carson
, Lake
, Lincoln
, Park
, and Teller Counties
. With a Catholic population of approximately 65,000, the diocese also contained twenty-four parishes, ten missions, fifty priests, 230 sisters, five grade schools, and one high school. Hanifen was installed at the Pikes Peak Center
on January 30, 1984. Of his vision for his ministry as bishop, he told The Colorado Springs Gazette
in January 1984, "A bishop should not be a glaring watch dog of orthodoxy but a good shepherd of his flock."
Among his first acts as bishop, Hanifen selected St. Mary's Church as the cathedral of the diocese, and launched The Catholic Herald, the monthly diocesan newspaper, in September 1984. He emphasized collaboration with the laity
, appointing them to leadership positions within the diocese to ease the burden of the clergy. He also supported ecumenism
and interfaith
dialogue, even co-founding the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue with Rabbi Howard Hirsch. During Hanifen's nearly two decades as the helm of the diocese, the number of Catholics and parishes nearly doubled.
, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He was the first Bishop of Colorado Springs
Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is a Roman Catholic diocese in Colorado. The diocese was founded on November 10, 1983.The bishops who have served the diocese are:*Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen...
, serving from 1984 to 2003. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Archdiocese of Denver
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver
The Archdiocese of Denver is the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for Denver, Colorado and the Colorado counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan and Weld in the northern part of the state. The Archdiocese's home is at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate...
(1974-84).
Early life and education
Hanifen was born in Denver, ColoradoColorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, the third of four children of Edward Anselm and Dorothy Elizabeth (née Ranous) Hanifen. His grandfather immigrated from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to Leadville
Leadville, Colorado
Leadville is a Statutory City that is the county seat of, and the only municipality in, Lake County, Colorado, United States. Situated at an elevation of , Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States...
during the 1880s silver boom
Colorado Silver Boom
The Colorado Silver Boom was a dramatic expansionist period of silver mining activity in the U.S. state of Colorado in the late 19th century. The boom started in 1879 with the discovery of silver at Leadville...
, and eventually became a successful mine
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
owner; Hanifen's father co-founded a prominent Colorado investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
firm. As a child, Hanifen suffered from chronic asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
. He received his early education at the parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
of St. Philomena Church, where he occasionally served as an altar boy
Altar server
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian religious service. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell and so on....
. He attended Regis High School
Regis Jesuit High School
Regis Jesuit High School is a Jesuit Catholic college preparatory high school located in Aurora, Colorado. Founded in 1877, the high school shares much of its history with its counterpart Regis University in neighboring Denver, Colorado....
while working as a delivery boy for a grocery store.
After graduating from high school in 1949, Hanifen enrolled at Regis College
Regis University
Regis University is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic, Jesuit university in the United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1877, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in Denver. He earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in accounting from Regis in 1953. He then began his studies for the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver. During his studies, he and fellow seminarian Eugene John Gerber
Eugene John Gerber
Eugene John Gerber is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Dodge City from 1976 to 1982, and Bishop of Wichita from 1982 to 2001.-Early life and education:...
were selected to participate in an experimental pairing between St. Thomas and the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He later earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
degree from Catholic University in 1959.
Priesthood
On June 6, 1959, Hanifen was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver
The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Denver of Roman Catholic Church. It is located at the corner of Logan St. and Colfax Avenue in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood of central Denver. The cathedral has a capacity of 800 persons and hosts...
. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Estes Park
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park had a population of 5,858 at the 2010 census...
. He then served at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception until 1966, when he was sent to further his studies at Catholic University. He there earned a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in guidance and counseling in 1966.
In 1968, Hanifen earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
from the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. During his time in Rome, he and some of his fellow students took a trip to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, during which they experienced the devastating flood of the River Arno
1966 Flood of the River Arno in Florence
The 1966 Flood of the Arno River in Florence killed many people and damaged or destroyed millions of masterpieces of art and rare books in Florence. It is considered the worst flood in the city's history since 1557. With the combined effort of Italian citizens and foreign donors and committees, or...
. Following his return to Denver, he served as vice-chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the archdiocese and secretary to Archbishop James V. Casey from 1968 to 1969. From 1969 to 1976, he served as chancellor of the archdiocese.
Denver
On July 6, 1974, Hanifen was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Denver and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Abercorn
Abercorn
Abercorn is a village and parish in West Lothian, Scotland. Close to the south coast of the Firth of Forth, the village is around west of South Queensferry.-History:...
ia by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following September 20 from Archbishop Casey, with Bishops George R. Evans and Charles A. Buswell
Charles Albert Buswell
Charles Albert Buswell was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Pueblo from 1959 to 1979. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest bishops in the Church.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. As an auxiliary bishop, he served as episcopal vicar
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
for the southern area of the archdiocese from 1975 to 1984.
Hanifen was in Rome for a one-month study sabbatical when Pope John Paul I
Pope John Paul I
John Paul I , born Albino Luciani, , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from 26 August 1978 until his death 33 days later. His reign is among the shortest in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes...
was elected in the papal conclave
Papal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
of August 1978; he later participated in the new pope's Inauguration Mass
Papal Inauguration
The Papal Inauguration is a liturgical service of the Catholic Church within Mass celebrated in the Roman Rite but with elements of Byzantine Rite for the ecclesiastical investiture of the Pope...
on September 3 of that year.
Colorado Springs
On November 10, 1983, Hanifen was appointed the first BishopOrdinary
In those hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ecclesiastical law system, an ordinary is an officer of the church who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute the church's laws...
of the newly-erected Diocese of Colorado Springs
Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is a Roman Catholic diocese in Colorado. The diocese was founded on November 10, 1983.The bishops who have served the diocese are:*Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. The new diocese encompassed 15560 square miles (40,300.2 km²), being composed of Chaffee
Chaffee County, Colorado
Chaffee County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 16,242 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Salida.-History:...
, Cheyenne
Cheyenne County, Colorado
Cheyenne County is the fifth least densely populated of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 2,231 at U.S. Census 2000...
, Douglas
Douglas County, Colorado
Douglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado, in the United States. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs...
, Elbert
Elbert County, Colorado
Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa...
, El Paso
El Paso County, Colorado
El Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver...
, Kit Carson
Kit Carson County, Colorado
Kit Carson County is the 18th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 8,011 at U.S. Census 2000. The county was named for Kit Carson...
, Lake
Lake County, Colorado
Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat...
, Lincoln
Lincoln County, Colorado
Lincoln County is the tenth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 6,087 at U.S. Census 2000...
, Park
Park County, Colorado
Park County is the 17th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named after the large geographic region known as South Park, which was named by early fur traders and trappers in the area. The geographic center of the State of Colorado is...
, and Teller Counties
Teller County, Colorado
Teller County is the 22nd most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 20,555 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Cripple Creek, and the most populous city is Woodland Park...
. With a Catholic population of approximately 65,000, the diocese also contained twenty-four parishes, ten missions, fifty priests, 230 sisters, five grade schools, and one high school. Hanifen was installed at the Pikes Peak Center
Pikes Peak Center
The Pikes Peak Center is the concert auditorium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It serves as an entertainment, cultural, educational, and assembly center for the citizens of El Paso County, the Pikes Peak region, and the surrounding area.- History :...
on January 30, 1984. Of his vision for his ministry as bishop, he told The Colorado Springs Gazette
The Gazette (Colorado Springs)
The Gazette is a newspaper based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is published daily by Irvine, California-based Freedom Communications...
in January 1984, "A bishop should not be a glaring watch dog of orthodoxy but a good shepherd of his flock."
Among his first acts as bishop, Hanifen selected St. Mary's Church as the cathedral of the diocese, and launched The Catholic Herald, the monthly diocesan newspaper, in September 1984. He emphasized collaboration with the laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
, appointing them to leadership positions within the diocese to ease the burden of the clergy. He also supported ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
and interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
dialogue, even co-founding the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue with Rabbi Howard Hirsch. During Hanifen's nearly two decades as the helm of the diocese, the number of Catholics and parishes nearly doubled.
Later life
After 19 years as Bishop of Colorado Springs, Hanifen resigned on January 30, 2003. He was succeeded by Bishop Michael John SheridanMichael John Sheridan
Michael John Sheridan is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the second and current Bishop of Colorado Springs.- Biography :...
, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.