VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks, formerly of Joliet, Illinois, as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Bishop Hicks succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who submitted his resignation upon reaching the age of 75 in February, in accordance with Vatican policy, after serving 16 years.
Background and Shared Traits
Bishop Hicks, 58, is identified with a perspective on Catholicism that emphasizes inclusion and social justice, similar to that of Pope Francis. He shares biographical commonalities with Pope Leo XIV, having grown up in the same general vicinity near Chicago, Illinois.
Both individuals have significant experience in Latin America. Bishop Hicks served as regional director for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, an organization supporting orphans and abandoned children, in El Salvador from 2005 to 2010. Pope Leo XIV spent more than a decade in Peru. Christopher White, author of Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy, noted these shared backgrounds.
Prior Appointments and Administration
In 2010, Bishop Hicks was appointed dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary, part of the University of St. Mary of the Lake, in Illinois. He later served as vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Rev. John Kartje, who worked with Bishop Hicks on the formation team and later became rector of the seminary, stated that Hicks is "capable of administration at the highest levels" and has "his heart and soul with the people and particularly marginalized populations." Kartje also described Hicks as "an excellent listener" who was decisive.
Bishop Hicks became an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2018, an archdiocese then led by Cardinal Blase Cupich. Cardinal Cupich, an ally of Pope Francis, played a role in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, and his influence is associated with Hicks' appointment. In September 2020, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Hicks to lead the Diocese of Joliet, which serves 520,000 Catholics.
Challenges and Future Tenure
The Archdiocese of New York is currently addressing significant challenges. It has agreed to mediation to resolve approximately 1,300 sex abuse claims and is seeking to raise $300 million for survivor compensation. This involves the sale of Manhattan properties and the restructuring or closure of some parishes.
At 58 years old, Bishop Hicks has the potential for a long tenure in the position. Archbishops of New York have historically been involved in the city's social and political landscape, as well as broader U.S. politics.