Pope Francis’s US Strategy: New York Archbishop & a Shift in Church Leadership
- New York, NY – Friday, Ronald Hicks was installed as the 11th Archbishop of New York at St.
- The installation ceremony is being viewed as a signal of a broader shift within the U.S.
- Bishop Hicks, born in 1967, brings a distinct background to the role compared to his predecessor.
New Archbishop Installed in New York, Signaling Shift for U.S. Catholic Church
New York, NY – , Ronald Hicks was installed as the 11th Archbishop of New York at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, marking a potentially significant turning point for the Catholic Church in the United States. The appointment, made by Pope Leo, succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who reached the traditional retirement age last year.
The installation ceremony is being viewed as a signal of a broader shift within the U.S. Church, particularly concerning social justice issues and the intersection of faith and contemporary politics. This follows a recent statement from three prominent U.S. Cardinals addressing global affairs, suggesting a coordinated effort to define the Church’s role in the 21st century.
A Different Background
Bishop Hicks, born in , brings a distinct background to the role compared to his predecessor. His formative years were spent in the Chicago area, followed by seminary studies and a year in Mexico. However, it was his five-year tenure in El Salvador with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), a non-profit dedicated to orphaned and at-risk children, that profoundly shaped his worldview.
Hicks often speaks of Archbishop Óscar Romero, a champion of the poor and a critic of injustice, as a personal hero. Romero, who denounced the military regime in El Salvador through his radio broadcasts, was murdered in and later canonized by Pope Francis in .
From Chicago to New York
Prior to his appointment in New York, Hicks served as bishop of Joliet, Illinois. Before that, he was Cardinal Cupich’s vicar-general in Chicago, known for his efficiency. The appointment to New York is notable, as it was initially assumed Hicks would succeed Cupich in Chicago.
The choice of Hicks by Pope Leo appears to align with the pontiff’s own background and priorities. Like Leo, Hicks spent his thirties working with the poor as a missionary – Hicks in El Salvador, Leo in Peru – before moving into leadership roles. Hicks has also been involved in prison ministry since the and, as bishop of Joliet, took steps to address the climate emergency, following Pope Francis’s encyclical on the issue.
A New Vision for the Archdiocese
During the installation ceremony, Hicks shared his vision for the archdiocese, emphasizing evangelization and passing on the faith to future generations. He also stressed the importance of caring for the poor and vulnerable, and defending and respecting life from conception to natural death.
Hicks referenced the city of New York itself, incorporating lines from famous songs about the city into his remarks, declaring, “So start spreading the news. I’m starting today,” a nod to Frank Sinatra’s iconic song.
A Shift in Leadership
Hicks’s appointment represents a departure from the style of Cardinal Dolan, described as a prominent conservative figure in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Dolan submitted his resignation in upon reaching the age of 75, and marked his 76th birthday.
The change in leadership comes at a time when the U.S. Catholic Church is navigating a new era under the first American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. Both Leo and the U.S. Hierarchy have demonstrated a willingness to address issues such as immigration and the rule of law, and Hicks is seen as aligned with this approach.