Vatican Announces Major U.S. Church Appointment
Pope Leo XIV has named Bishop Ronald Hicks as the next archbishop of New York, marking the most significant U.S. appointment of his papacy to date.
Hicks, who currently serves as bishop of Joliet, Illinois, will succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who recently retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Transition Follows Resolution of Abuse Settlement Plan
The leadership transition follows Cardinal Dolan’s completion of a plan to establish a $300 million fund intended to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse who brought claims against the archdiocese.
Church officials have noted that the Vatican often delays leadership changes in dioceses until major legal or administrative matters are resolved by outgoing bishops.
Hicks Addresses Abuse Accountability
During a news conference, Hicks addressed the issue of clergy abuse and emphasized the church’s ongoing responsibility toward prevention and accountability.
He said efforts to protect children and support survivors must remain a priority, while acknowledging the difficulty and sensitivity of the work involved.
Background and Pastoral Experience
Hicks, 58, grew up in the Chicago area and has extensive pastoral and international experience. Earlier in his career, he spent five years working in El Salvador, overseeing a church-run orphanage program operating across multiple countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Before becoming bishop of Joliet in 2020, Hicks served as a parish priest, seminary administrator, auxiliary bishop, and vicar general in the Chicago Archdiocese.
Position on Immigration and Public Issues
In recent years, Hicks endorsed statements from U.S. Catholic bishops criticizing federal immigration enforcement actions. He has publicly affirmed church teachings emphasizing human dignity and called for broader immigration reform.
His views are seen as broadly aligned with those of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, who has taken an active interest in U.S. church leadership.
Leadership Change in a Prominent Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of New York is one of the largest in the United States, serving approximately 2.5 million Catholics across New York City and surrounding counties.
Cardinal Dolan, a nationally prominent figure, led the archdiocese for more than a decade. His tenure included high-profile public engagements, charitable fundraising efforts, and involvement in national religious and civic discussions.
Upcoming Responsibilities for New Archbishop
One of Hicks’ initial responsibilities will be overseeing the implementation of the archdiocese’s abuse settlement fund. The plan includes budget reductions and asset sales to address roughly 1,300 pending claims.
Hicks has prior experience managing abuse-related issues, having led the Joliet diocese during the release of a statewide investigation into clergy abuse in Illinois. That report documented historical failures by church leadership while also acknowledging more recent child protection reforms.
Related Coverage
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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