Bishop Ronald A. Hicks Appointed Archbishop of New York by Pope Leo
Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, formerly of Joliet, Illinois, has been appointed as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York by Pope Leo. He succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who resigned upon reaching the age of 75 after 16 years of service.
Bishop Hicks, 58, will lead an archdiocese serving approximately 2.5 million Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and seven northern counties. His installation is scheduled to take place at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
Appointment and Succession
The appointment of Bishop Ronald A. Hicks was announced following Cardinal Timothy Dolan's resignation, submitted in accordance with Vatican policy upon his 75th birthday.
Bishop Hicks, who was serving as the bishop of Joliet, Illinois, accepted the new role. The Archdiocese of New York, encompassing a significant Catholic population, will now be under his leadership.
Background and Prior Service
Bishop Hicks, 58, originated from South Holland in the Chicago area. His pastoral career includes a period from 2005 to 2010, during which he served as regional director for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, an organization supporting children in El Salvador.
In 2010, he was appointed dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois and later served as vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He became an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2018 under Cardinal Blase Cupich, before Pope Francis appointed him to lead the Diocese of Joliet in September 2020.
The Rev. John Kartje, who worked with Bishop Hicks at Mundelein Seminary, has described him as "capable of administration at the highest levels," noting his focus on "the people and particularly marginalized populations," along with qualities as an "excellent listener" and decisiveness.
Connections to Pope Leo
Bishop Hicks shares biographical commonalities with Pope Leo. Both individuals have roots in the Chicago area and significant experience in Latin America; Bishop Hicks served in El Salvador, while Pope Leo spent time in Peru.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, identified as an ally of Pope Francis and a participant in the conclave that elected Pope Leo, is associated with the background to Hicks' appointment.
Challenges and Vision for the Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of New York is currently addressing various challenges, including approximately 1,300 sex abuse claims. The archdiocese has committed to establishing a $300 million fund for survivor compensation, which involves ongoing mediation, the sale of Manhattan properties, and potential restructuring or closure of some parishes.
Bishop Hicks has acknowledged the challenging and painful nature of this work, expressing hope for continued progress in "accountability, transparency and healing."
In outlining his vision for the archdiocese, Archbishop Hicks has emphasized themes of gratitude, the church's mission, and developing missionary disciples. He envisions a church dedicated to making new disciples, transmitting faith to future generations, building bridges, and engaging with the wider world. He has also expressed an intention to identify common ground in politics and government to collaborate for the common good.
Regarding immigration policies, Bishop Hicks has previously expressed concerns. Last month, he joined other bishops in condemning immigration-related arrests by the Trump administration, referencing a joint letter by U.S. bishops as "grounded in the Church's enduring commitment to the Catholic social teaching of human dignity and a call for meaningful immigration reform." A report by the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference indicates that 61% of individuals at risk of deportation are Catholic.
At 58 years old, Bishop Hicks has the potential for a long tenure as Archbishop of New York.