Pope Leo XIV has made a significant decision by appointing Bishop Ronald Hicks from Joliet, Illinois, to be the new archbishop of New York, as Timothy Cardinal Dolan steps down from the role.
This news comes after the Vatican confirmed this morning that Pope Leo has accepted Dolan’s resignation.
Back in 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Dolan as the Archbishop of New York, and he has been serving for 16 years.
Getting to Know Bishop Hicks
Bishop Hicks, who is 58 years old, shares a common background with Pope Leo, both originally hailing from Illinois. Hicks was born in Harvey and raised in South Holland, and both of them are fluent in Spanish, thanks to their time spent providing ministry in South and Central America.
After graduating from seminary in 1985, Hicks attended Loyola University Chicago for philosophy and later earned a master’s degree in divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He was ordained in 1994.
Hicks spent five years starting in 2005 working in El Salvador, focusing on an organization aimed at helping numerous orphaned and abandoned children.
In 2020, he became the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.
Cardinal Dolan’s Resignation
Cardinal Dolan turned 75 in February, which required him to submit his resignation to the Vatican. He expected to stay on for about six to eight months during the transition to find his successor.
Pope Leo, however, has acted swiftly, appointing Hicks before Dolan turns 76, which showcases his commitment to shaping a new leadership for the important archdiocese with his handpicked candidate.
Since 2009, Dolan has guided about 2.8 million Catholics in New York, becoming a prominent face of Catholicism in the U.S. His leadership also extended through the challenges of the COVID pandemic, as well as difficult decisions like selling church assets to compensate victims of sexual abuse, closing down numerous Catholic schools, and reshaping parishes, resulting in some churches being shut down.
Reactions to Cardinal Dolan’s Departure
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, praised Dolan as a kind and supportive leader of church doctrines, expressing a desire for the Pope to have kept Dolan in his role for a bit longer.
“In stepping into Cardinal Dolan’s role, the new archbishop will have big shoes to fill. He has a huge following, not only among Catholics but also among non-Catholics in New York,” commented Donohue.
Dolan mentioned his intention to remain active in the church after his retirement, embracing his continued commitment to service.
New Yorkers offered mixed reactions to the forthcoming changes in leadership.
Brooklyn local Theresa Start noted, “When he speaks, it feels personal to you. He’s such a wonderful figure; I’ll truly miss him.”
Tourist Bill Moran reflected on Dolan’s down-to-earth aura, saying, “He’s a friendly guy and likable.” Staten Island resident Don Goller echoed these sentiments: “We love him and wish him great things in the future.” However, Bronx’s Lana German looks forward to a “new chapter” and hopes for a leader who can generate fresh ideas to unite the community.
A statement from the legal representatives of over 75 alleged survivors of child sexual abuse against the Archdiocese voiced their stance, stating:
“The conclusion of Cardinal Dolan’s tenure will not halt our search for accountability and clarity, nor obfuscate our call to interview him. We assert that fairness and transparency are rightfully needed for the survivors. This chapter may close for Dolan, but we urge the next Cardinal to pivot from secrecy and collaborate with survivors towards justice for their experiences.”
