the The next Archbishop of New York The pope said Thursday that he plans to stress the importance of evangelization as he takes charge of one of America’s largest dioceses.
“How do we truly become disciples, and who do we make disciples of?” Ronald Hicks said during a press conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where his inauguration ceremony will be held on Friday. “People who have been part of the church but maybe not as much — how do we re-engage? How do we pass the faith on to the next generation? How do we be a thriving, relevant church?”
Hicks – who worked for five years in El Salvador at the head of a church-run orphanage program that worked in nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean – said his message to migrants underscores the church’s teachings on social justice and human dignity.
“How do we see each other as brothers and sisters and use that as the foundation for everything else?” he asked. Hicks requested that the Mass at his installation be recited in Spanish as well.
The change in leadership represents an important new chapter for the American Catholic Church, which is forging a new era with Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV as the first American pope. Liu and the US hierarchy have already demonstrated their willingness to challenge the Trump administration on immigration and other issues, and Hicks is largely seen as a brave man. Leo style ceilings.
The current Bishop of Joliet, Illinois, Leo Hicks, was chosen in December to replace retiring Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent conservative figure in the American Catholic hierarchy. Dolan submitted his resignation in February, as required when he turned 75.
Hicks’ appointment came shortly after Dolan finalized a plan to create a $300 million fund for Compensation of victims On charges of sexual assault he filed a lawsuit against the diocese.
During his homily Friday, Hicks highlighted a vision for the diocese built on gratitude and the mission of the church.
“You will notice that I will refer several times to Pope Leo XIV,” Hicks said. “I will always strive to be obedient and respectful to him, while also cooperating with his vision.”
The Archdiocese of New York is among the largest in the country, serving approx 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in New York City, as well as seven boroughs to the north.
Hicks said he has not yet spoken with New York’s new mayor, Zahran Mamdani, but said he looks forward to meeting and getting to know him.
“What I would like to do as archbishop is understand that in politics, in government, there are going to be things that we disagree on, but I also want to make sure that we pay attention to those things that we can work on together for the common good,” Hicks said.