CNA's Rome editor takes on new role with Denver archdiocese

Denver, Colo., Jul 29, 2013 / 16:20 pm

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila has named CNA's Rome Bureau News Director, David Uebbing, to serve as his assistant as the chancellor to the Archdiocese of Denver.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Archbishop Aquila," Uebbing told CNA July 29. "I am blessed to be able to help him in his work to encourage people to meet Jesus, support marriages, defend life at all stages, and engage in the New Evangelization in the archdiocese."

As chancellor to the Denver archdiocese, Uebbing will serve as a special assistant and senior counselor to the Archbishop.

In his over five years working as CNA's managing editor, Uebbing substantially increased readership, recruited new staff and helped launch the EWTN News website.

"Dave has been absolutely foundational to the agency's success over the years," said CNA's current managing editor Marianne Medlin.

"He will be deeply missed by our team, but we are thrilled for him as he brings his great talents to this new opportunity to serve the Church."

In January, Uebbing and his wife, Jennifer, moved to Italy where with their two toddlers, Joseph and John Paul, he served as CNA's Rome bureau editor during what has been arguably one of the most historic times in recent Church history.

"The only way that I can explain that my family was here for the first papal resignation in 600 years and then the election of the Church's first Latin American Pope is to say, God did it all," he said.

"We moved to Rome because we heard God calling us here, and he blessed us with an unforgettable experience of life at the heart of the Church and in the city of Rome.

Uebbing said his time with CNA, especially his work in Rome, has prepared him to take on this new role by familiarizing him with "issues that the Church is facing both at the local and international level."

"The fact that the agency covers the contributions of bishops around the world to the intellectual, charitable, spiritual and social aspects of society is one way I've gained that familiarity," he said.

He added that "seeing how the Church functions within the Vatican "is something that can't be learned in a book," but rather, "has to be experienced."

Uebbing will begin serving the archdiocese on Aug. 19, taking the place of former chancellor, J.D. Flynn, who recently accepted a position as communications director for the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb.

The South Bend, Ind. native holds a master's degree in theology from the Augustine Institute in Denver and a Bachelor's in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.