Richard Hanifen was born on June 15, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, the third of four children of Edward Anselm and Dorothy Elizabeth (née Ranous) Hanifen.[1]Edward Anselm co-founded an investment firm in Denver.[1] As a child, Richard Hanifen suffered from chronic asthma.[2]
Richard Hanifen received his early education at the parochial school of St. Philomena Parish in Denver, where he occasionally served as an altar server.[2] He attended Regis High School in Aurora, Colorado, while working as a delivery boy for a grocery store.[2] After graduating from high school in 1949, Hanifen enrolled at Regis College in Denver.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Regis in 1953.[2]
On November 10, 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed Hanifen as the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Colorado Springs. [4] In January 1984, he told The Colorado Springs Gazette:, "A bishop should not be a glaring watchdog of orthodoxy but a good shepherd of his flock."[1] Hanifen was installed at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs on January 30, 1984.[4]
in September 1984, Hanifen designated St. Mary's Church in Colorado Springs as the diocesan cathedral and launched The Catholic Herald, the monthly diocesan newspaper.[1] He emphasized collaboration with the laity, appointing them to leadership positions within the diocese to ease the burden of the clergy.[2] He also supported ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, co-founding the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue in Colorado Springs with Rabbi Howard Hirsch.[2] During Hanifen's nearly two decades as bishop, the number of Catholics and parishes in the diocese nearly doubled.[2]
Retirement
On January 30, 2003, Hanifen sent his letter of resignation as bishop of Colorado Springs to John Paul II. [4]The pope appointed Bishop Michael Sheridan as his replacement.[6] After retirement, Hanifen continued to provide counseling to parishioners, hold retreats, and assist with confirmations and other major masses.[3]