In a significant move for the Catholic Church in the United States, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald A. Hicks as the next Archbishop of New York. This decision places one of the nation's most prominent and influential Catholic archdioceses under new leadership during a period of profound institutional change and political tension.
A New Leader for a Pivotal Archdiocese
The Vatican announced the appointment on Thursday, marking the most high-profile US posting made by Pope Leo XIV, who is the first American pontiff. The 58-year-old Hicks, who currently serves as the Bishop of Joliet in Illinois, will succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Cardinal Dolan submitted his resignation earlier this year after turning 75, a standard requirement under Vatican law.
The Archdiocese of New York is a massive spiritual jurisdiction, serving approximately 2.5 million Catholics. Its reach extends across the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as seven surrounding counties.
Inheriting a Legacy of Challenge and Change
Bishop Hicks steps into his new role at a critical juncture. The archdiocese is beginning to implement a monumental $300 million settlement fund for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. This fund was finalised by Cardinal Dolan just before his retirement. It is designed to cover settlements for the vast majority of the roughly 1,300 outstanding abuse claims against the archdiocese, financed through budget cuts and the sale of church assets.
Addressing this heavy responsibility directly at a news conference, Hicks stated, "As a church, we can never rest in our efforts to prevent abuse, to protect children and to care for survivors." He acknowledged the difficulty of the task but expressed hope that it would foster accountability, transparency, and healing.
Vatican practice often allows outgoing bishops to remain during unresolved litigation, which explains Dolan's delayed departure until the settlement framework was in place.
A Generational and Stylistic Shift
The leadership transition represents more than just a change of personnel; it signals a distinct shift in tone and profile. Cardinal Dolan was a high-profile, conservative figure with a larger-than-life public persona. He maintained close ties with Republican political leaders, including former President Donald Trump, who appointed him to a Religious Liberty Commission.
Bishop Hicks presents a different background. Like Pope Leo XIV, he is Chicago-born and has substantial experience in Latin America. From 2005 to 2010, he served in El Salvador as regional director for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a church programme aiding orphaned children.
Hicks has also publicly aligned with US bishops critical of harsh immigration policies. In November, he endorsed a bishops' conference statement condemning immigration raids, grounding his position in Catholic social teaching on human dignity and calling for meaningful reform.
The personal connection with the Pope is notable. Hicks revealed that both he and Leo XIV grew up in the same Chicago neighbourhoods, frequenting the same parks and pizza places. Author Christopher White, who wrote a book on the new papacy, suggests this shared background matters, indicating Hicks will bring a serious, willing-to-learn approach distinct from his predecessor's style.
Hicks was ordained in Chicago, served as dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary, and was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2015. He became an auxiliary bishop in 2018 and was named Bishop of Joliet by Pope Francis in 2020. His tenure in Illinois involved navigating the fallout from a damning 2023 state report on clerical abuse, which noted improvements in safeguarding under his leadership.
Cardinal Dolan warmly welcomed his successor, calling Hicks "an early Christmas gift" for the archdiocese. In his first remarks at St. Patrick's Cathedral as archbishop-designate, Hicks struck a humble note: "I accept this appointment with humility and an open heart. I ask for your support and your prayers."
He now assumes the helm of an archdiocese tasked with confronting a painful past, managing substantial financial redress, and redefining its public voice under the guidance of the first American pope.
