Bishop Emeritus Michael Sheridan, who served as Bishop of Colorado Springs, dies at age 77

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Bishop Emeritus Michael John Sheridan, who served as Bishop of Colorado Springs from 2003-2021, died peacefully on Sept. 27, according to his office.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs said that on Dec. 4, 2001, Pope John Paul II named him co-adjutor of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. He was installed and became the ordinary of the diocese on Jan. 30, 2003.

Among his many achievements during his tenure as Bishop of Colorado Springs were the development of a robust vocations program that resulted in the ordination of many new priests for the diocese and the construction of the St. John Henry Newman Chapel and Catholic Student Center at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, according to the Diocese of Colorado Springs

Bishop Sheridan also presided over the construction of several new churches in the diocese, including St. Dominic Parish in Security, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Castle Rock, Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Woodland Park, and St. Benedict Parish in Falcon.

A vigil will be held Thursday, Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 22 W. Kiowa St., with Bishop James Golka presiding. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. at Holy Apostles Church, 4925 N. Carefree Cir., with Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as the principal celebrant.

Memorials can be sent to the care of Esperanza Griffith at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 228 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, 80903.