Key Takeaways:
- Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
- Hicks, a fellow Chicagoan, is seen as a like-minded bishop who will continue to challenge the Trump administration on issues such as immigration.
- The New York archdiocese is one of the largest in the nation, serving approximately 2.5 million Catholics.
- Hicks will oversee the implementation of a $300 million fund to compensate victims of sexual abuse in the archdiocese.
- The appointment represents a significant new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church, with Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. hierarchy showing willingness to challenge the Trump administration on various issues.
Introduction to Bishop Ronald Hicks
Bishop Ronald Hicks, the current bishop of Joliet, Illinois, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new archbishop of New York, replacing the retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan. This appointment is significant, as it represents a new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church, particularly in its relations with the Trump administration. Hicks, a fellow Chicagoan, is seen as a like-minded bishop who will continue to challenge the administration on issues such as immigration. The New York archdiocese, which serves approximately 2.5 million Catholics, is one of the largest in the nation, and Hicks will have the task of navigating its complex relationships with the administration.
Background and Experience
Hicks, 58, grew up in South Holland, Illinois, and has a strong background in working with immigrants. He spent five years in El Salvador heading a church-run orphanage program that operated in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries. This experience has likely shaped his views on immigration and his commitment to social justice. Hicks has also served as a parish priest in Chicago and dean of training at Mundelein Seminary, before being appointed as vicar general of the archdiocese in 2015. In 2020, he was made an auxiliary bishop, and later, bishop of Joliet, serving around 520,000 Catholics in seven counties.
A New Era for the U.S. Catholic Church
The appointment of Hicks represents a significant shift in the U.S. Catholic Church, with Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. hierarchy showing willingness to challenge the Trump administration on various issues. Hicks has already demonstrated his commitment to social justice, endorsing a special message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemning the Trump administration’s immigration raids. This stance is likely to continue, given his background and experience working with immigrants. The U.S. Catholic Church is forging a new era with Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and Hicks’ appointment is seen as a key part of this new chapter.
Challenges Ahead
One of the biggest challenges facing Hicks will be overseeing the implementation of a $300 million fund to compensate victims of sexual abuse in the archdiocese. This fund, which was finalized by Cardinal Dolan, aims to cover settlements for most, if not all, of the roughly 1,300 outstanding abuse claims against the archdiocese. Hicks has experience managing the fallout of the abuse scandal, having led the Joliet diocese after a scathing report by the Illinois attorney general in 2023. The report found that 451 Catholic clergy abused 1,997 children in Illinois between 1950 and 2019, and Hicks has recognized the need for accountability, transparency, and healing in addressing the scandal.
A Pastor for New York
The New York archdiocese is a complex and diverse community, serving approximately 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as seven counties to the north. Hicks will need to navigate the archdiocese’s relationships with the Trump administration, as well as its own internal challenges, including the abuse scandal. However, he has been praised by those who know him, with the Rev. Eusebius Martis describing him as "a wonderful man, always thoughtful and attentive to the needs of seminarians." Hicks has also shown a willingness to engage with the community, jokingly noting that he is a Cubs fan and loves deep-dish pizza, in a nod to his Chicago roots.
Conclusion
The appointment of Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York represents a significant new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church. With his background and experience working with immigrants, as well as his commitment to social justice, Hicks is well-equipped to navigate the complex relationships between the archdiocese and the Trump administration. The challenges ahead, including overseeing the implementation of the abuse settlement fund, will require strong leadership and a commitment to accountability, transparency, and healing. However, with the support of Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. hierarchy, Hicks is likely to make a positive impact on the New York archdiocese and the wider U.S. Catholic Church.
