Bishop of Green Bay
David L. Ricken was born in Dodge City, Kansas, on November 9, 1952. He attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Grade School in Dodge City and Saint Francis Seminary High School in Victoria. After studying philosophy at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, he completed his theological studies at the American College of Louvain in Belgium. Subsequently, he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University from 1987 to 1989, where he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law. He was ordained a priest on September 12, 1980, for the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado. He held the following positions: Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Cathedral (1980–1985); Vice-Chancellor of the diocese and Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in Pueblo (1985–1987); Diocesan Director of Vocations (1989–1996); Episcopal Vicar for Ministerial Formation (1989–1992); Director of the Office for Deacons (1990–1996); Diocesan Chancellor (1992–1996); and staff member at the Congregation for the Clergy (1996–1999). He served as a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors, as well as Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice. Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Cheyenne, Wyoming, on December 14, 1999, he received episcopal ordination on January 6, 2000. He has served as the Ordinary of Cheyenne since September 26, 2001. Within the Episcopal Conference, he is Chairman of the Committee on the American College of Louvain (Region XIII) and a member of the Committee on Catechesis and the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. In addition to English, he speaks Spanish, Italian, and German.