Michael John Sheridan

On July 8, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Sheridan as Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Thibiuca. He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 3 from then-Archbishop Justin Francis Rigali, with Bishops Edward Joseph O'Donnell and Edward Kenneth Braxton serving as co-consecrators. Sheridan chose as his episcopal motto: "Virtus in infirmitate perficitur" (2 Cor 12:9, meaning, "Strength is made perfect in weakness").

On December 4, 2001 Sheridan was named Coadjutor Bishop of Colorado Springs, Colorado,[1]

On January 30, 2003., John Paul II appointed Sheridan as the second Bishop of Colorado Springs. He was installed and consecrated on January 30, 2002.[1]

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Sheridan sits on the Committee on Education. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, of the Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services, of the International Dominican Foundation, and of the Kenrick Seminary Board of Trustees.[1]

Sheridan excited controversy in 2004 when he said any Catholic who does not reflect church teaching in the voting booth "makes a mockery of that faith and belies his identity as a Catholic," a remark widely held to refer to supporters of then Senator John Kerry, though the bishop stated "the church never directs citizens to vote for any specific candidate." The directive was reported to be the first in the nation "that would apply to voters the same controversial sanctions proposed by some bishops against abortion-rights Catholic politicians...also one of the most drastic—equating a particular vote with sinful activity."[3] Sheridan's stance drew national attention and harsh criticism, which he then softened in a column in the diocesan newspaper. Sheridan's spokesman has said that there is no Communion ban and that decisions on taking Communion rest with individuals and their consciences.[4]

In 2005, Sheridan's executive assistant, Peter Howard, wrote a column in the diocesan newspaper stating that participating in Protestant services is contrary to church teaching. Sheridan then issued a public apology stating that Howard's view "does not represent my thinking on the subject".[5]

On October 31, 2012, Sheridan stated that then Vice President Joe Biden should understand that he should not take communion. Sheridan said that Canon Law 915 did not allow politicians to accept communion if they opposed the serious moral teachings of the church.[6]

On April 30, 2021, Pope Francis accept Sheridan's letter of resignation as bishop of Colorado Springs, appointing Father James Golka as his replacement.[7]