BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV has just announced the appointment of Bishop Ron Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York, following Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s resignation. This significant leadership change comes as Dolan, who has served for 16 years, steps down at the age of 75, a customary practice upon reaching this milestone.
Hicks, currently the bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, will take over leadership of over two million Catholics in the New York area. The announcement was made public on Thursday, October 5, 2023, as the Archdiocese of New York confirmed the transition will have a substantial impact on the hundreds of churches under its supervision.
The timing is critical, as this change follows the archdiocese’s recent decision to sell the land beneath the Palace Hotel in Manhattan for $490 million. This sale is part of a plan to create a $300 million fund aimed at compensating more than 1,000 survivors of sexual abuse by church officials.
Ron Hicks, aged 58, was ordained in 1994 and has served as bishop of Joliet since 2020. His background includes a notable five-year missionary service in El Salvador, which adds a unique dimension to his leadership profile. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the archdiocese as it navigates ongoing challenges, including declining church attendance and the fallout from a significant sexual abuse scandal.
Cardinal Dolan, who first became a priest in Missouri and was previously the Bishop of Milwaukee, has been a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and a visible leader in the United States. He was elevated to cardinal in 2012 and has participated in the papal conclaves that elected both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV. Under his leadership, the archdiocese underwent considerable downsizing, closing schools and consolidating parishes while also overseeing the renovation of the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Governor Kathy Hochul has indicated her support for this change, alongside backing new legislation that strengthens abortion rights in New York. This transition in leadership occurs at a time when the church is under intense scrutiny and facing pressures from the community regarding its past actions.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more details emerge. Readers are encouraged to stay informed as this situation evolves, given its profound implications for the Catholic community in New York and beyond.
