NEW YORK (WABC) — In a restructuring of the leadership of the American Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, as the next archbishop of New York following the formal resignation of Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
Cardinal Dolan turned 75 in February of this year and submitted his retirement letter to the Vatican at that time as required by the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Dolan called the appointment of his successor “an early Christmas gift.”
Now, Archbishop-designate Hicks will lead the 2.8 million Catholics who make up the Archdiocese of New York. Hicks will be the 14th Bishop and 11th Archbishop of the See of New York. Dolan called him “immensely qualified.”
“I accept this appointment, and I ask for your prayers, I ask for your support,” Hicks said during a press conference Thursday morning.
“You’re off to a great start,” Dolan whispered in Hicks’ ear after his speech. He later added, “this is a great city and you are going to love it.”
Dolan didn’t know Hicks before he was identified as the next archbishop. “The last week, since I found out, I’ve gotten to know him, and I already love him and appreciate him and trust him.”
“Is there sadness in my heart? Sure, because I love the Archdiocese of New York. That sadness is mitigated by the gift that this new archbishop already is,” Dolan said.
“I think what you’re going to see in me is that I love all people,” Hicks said. However, he said he needed to add a controversial statement: “I’m a Cubs fan and I love deep-dish pizza.”
Who is Bishop Ronald Hicks?
Hicks, 58, who was born in Illinois, was ordained in 1994, and was named Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago in 2018.
He was then named the Bishop of Joliet in 2020. That’s a small diocese not far from Chicago.
It’s hard to ignore the Chicago connection, with Pope Leo also being from the Windy City. In fact, the two grew up just 14 blocks away from each other.
“We grew up literally in the same radius, in the same neighborhood together,” Hicks said. “We played in the same parks, went swimming in the same pools, liked the same pizza places. I mean, it’s that real.”
The two met last year, and Hicks is now being tapped to take of the most prestigious and influential position in the American Catholic Church.
“I just want to continue to evangelize and to make sure that the faith is growing and not only growing for a certain segment, but everyone,” Bishop Hicks said.
Bishop Hicks also spent five years in El Salvador running a home that cared for children.
“It was founded by Catholic priests in 1954 and has cared for over 20,000 orphaned and abandoned children throughout the years,” Hicks said. “It was a beautiful mission. I was really happy to do that.”
Hicks will go from leading a smaller diocese to one of the largest, in New York City.
Bishop Hicks is considered more progressive than Cardinal Dolan, which could mean a shift for New York Catholics.
Cardinal Dolan’s legacy
Cardinal Dolan was a 59-year-old lifelong Midwesterner when he was chosen to lead the Archdiocese of New York. He served for 16 years in one of the most high profile, influential posts in the Catholic Church.
Dolan is known for his work abroad and in the U.S.
He traveled to Ukraine at the start of the war and even spoke at the Republican National Convention.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Dolan participated in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis in March, 2013. He also participated in the Conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV in May, 2025.
Dolan will leave Hicks with a few challenges:
Last week, the Archdiocese sold off real estate to help compensate sex abuse survivors. Additionally, New York, like many other places, is dealing with a priest shortage.
Hicks acknowledged the Archdiocese has set aside $300 million to potentially resolve sexual abuse claims.
“As a church, we can never rest in our efforts to prevent abuse, to protect children and to care for survivors. While this work is challenging, its difficult, its painful, I hope it will continue to help in the areas of accountability, transparency and healing,” Hicks said.
Archbishop-designate Hicks will be installed Feb. 6 at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Cardinal Dolan will be Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until then.
Cardinal Dolan sent a letter to the parishioners in the Archdiocese of New York shortly after the announcement was made:
Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York,
As the Angel said to the shepherds, I bring you tidings of great joy! Today, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed the Most Reverend Ronald Hicks, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, as the new Archbishop of New York.
A native of the Archdiocese of Chicago, where he was ordained a priest and a bishop, Archbishop-designate Hicks has served as Bishop of Joliet since 2020. He will be installed as your new archbishop on February 6, 2026 in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Until that time, I will serve as the Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese.
I am grateful to Pope Leo for appointing such a splendid priest and bishop to serve you, and have pledged to the archbishop-designate my fidelity and full cooperation, as he will now be my archbishop as well.
Archbishop-designate Hicks will join me in celebrating an Advent/Christmas Mass for archdiocesan employees at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. That Mass will be livestreamed here.
Please know that I love you, and that it has been a joy to serve as Archbishop of New York these past nearly 17 years. I look forward to being with you often in the years to come as I will remain living here in this archdiocese.
With prayerful best wishes for a joyous Christmas for you and your loved ones, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,
+ Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
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