Key Takeaways:
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York for 16 years, has been replaced by Ronald Hicks, a cleric with a different approach to politics and social issues.
- Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of Hicks is seen as a signal for a course correction in the US church, which had allied itself closely with the Republican party under Dolan.
- Hicks comes from a US Catholic intellectual tradition that advocates for a "consistent ethics" of life, focusing on human dignity and social justice issues.
- The appointment comes as US Catholic clerics are increasingly vocal in their criticism of Trump’s anti-migrant policies and harsh ICE round-ups.
- Pope Leo has expressed concern about the treatment of immigrants in the US and has urged American church leaders to stand against harsh ICE round-ups and mass deportations.
Introduction to the New Archbishop
The appointment of Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York marks a significant shift in the US Catholic Church’s approach to politics and social issues. After 16 years under Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who emerged as a strong supporter of Donald Trump and the Republican party, the church is now under the leadership of a cleric with a different approach. Pope Leo XIV’s choice of Hicks is seen as a clear signal of his desire for a course correction in the US church, which had become increasingly aligned with the Republican party under Dolan.
The Legacy of Cardinal Dolan
Cardinal Dolan’s tenure as archbishop of New York was marked by his strong support for conservative causes and his criticism of the Democratic party. He was a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act, particularly its mandate that most employers’ health insurance plans cover the cost of contraception and sterilization, which Catholic teaching considers "sinful." Dolan also accused the Democrats of abandoning Catholic voters and threw his weight behind Trump, hailing his second inauguration as "a great day for the United States." However, his approach was not without controversy, and many progressive Catholics felt that he had allied the church too closely with the Republican party.
The New Approach of Archbishop Hicks
In contrast to Dolan, Archbishop Hicks comes from a US Catholic intellectual tradition that advocates for a "consistent ethics" of life, focusing on human dignity and social justice issues. He has paid homage to New York’s historic role as the entry point for waves of immigrants to the US seeking a better life and has pledged to work with faith leaders and civic leaders to make real the promise of "the golden door." Hicks’ approach is seen as a more moderate and centrist one, which aligns with Pope Leo’s vision for the church. As John Allen Jr, author of several books on the contemporary Catholic Church, noted, "It’s a very Pope Leo move… Leo is a centrist and a moderate and he is looking for non-ideological pastors."
The Church’s Stance on Immigration
The appointment of Archbishop Hicks comes as US Catholic clerics are increasingly vocal in their criticism of Trump’s anti-migrant policies and harsh ICE round-ups. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a rare "special pastoral message" on immigration, condemning "the state of fear and anxiety" generated by "indiscriminate" ICE raids and lamenting "the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants." Pope Leo has also expressed concern about the treatment of immigrants in the US and has urged American church leaders to stand against harsh ICE round-ups and mass deportations. The Vatican’s recent appointment of Manuel de Jesús Rodriguez, a naturalized American who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, as bishop elect of Palm Beach, is seen as a further signal of the church’s commitment to standing with migrants.
The Future of the Church
The appointment of Archbishop Hicks marks a new era for the US Catholic Church, one that is likely to be characterized by a more moderate and centrist approach to politics and social issues. While Cardinal Dolan is expected to remain a highly influential force among conservative Catholic circles, his replacement by Hicks is seen as a significant shift in the church’s approach. As Massimo Faggioli, a professor of theology at Trinity College Dublin, noted, "It’s the end of an era… President Trump has lost an ally… [Dolan] doesn’t even pretend that he is unbiased." The future of the church under Archbishop Hicks is likely to be marked by a greater emphasis on social justice and human dignity, and a more nuanced approach to politics and social issues.
