Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Ronald Hicks as New York Archbishop Amid Abuse Fund and Immigration Stance
Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Ronald Hicks as New York's new Archbishop, succeeding Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Hicks will oversee a $300 million abuse fund and advocates for human dignity in immigration.
The BlazeNew York Archbishop Timothy Dolan resigns; pope appoints his replacement
The GuardianPope’s naming of New York archbishop signals continued challenge to Trump on immigration
New York Daily NewsPope Leo XIV names Bishop Ronald Hicks as new archbishop of New York
Chicago Sun-TimesRaised in South Holland, Joliet's bishop is appointed by Pope Leo XIV to oversee Archdiocese of New York
Overview
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York, replacing Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who submitted his mandatory resignation at age 75.
Archbishop-designate Hicks will be installed on February 6, 2026, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, with Cardinal Dolan serving as apostolic administrator until then.
The New York archdiocese is establishing a $300 million fund to settle over 1,000 child sexual abuse claims, a major task for the incoming Archbishop.
Bishop Hicks, previously from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, is known for missionary work and immigration advocacy, having endorsed the US Catholic Bishops' condemnation of Trump's immigration policies.
Hicks' appointment, endorsed by Cardinal Blase Cupich, signals a progressive shift in American Catholic leadership, aligning with Pope Leo XIV's challenges to the Trump administration on immigration.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a significant ideological shift within the U.S. Catholic Church. They emphasize Pope Leo XIV's deliberate choice to replace Cardinal Dolan with Bishop Ronald Hicks, highlighting Hicks' alignment with a progressive, socially conscious vision. The coverage contrasts Hicks' background and priorities with Dolan's conservative image and political ties, portraying the appointment as a "shake-up" towards a new era.