Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of New York and appointed Archbishop Ronald Hicks as the new Metropolitan Archbishop, entrusting him with the leadership of one of the largest and most influential Catholic dioceses in the United States.
Archbishop Hicks is transferred to New York from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, where he has served as bishop since September 2020. Prior to that, he spent several years assisting Cardinal Blase Cupich as Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, gaining extensive experience in diocesan leadership and administration.
Speaking to Vatican News following his appointment, Archbishop Hicks expressed humility and gratitude, describing the new responsibility as a call to serve God’s will and the people of New York with openness, compassion, and fidelity to the Church’s mission.
Archbishop Hicks said his foremost priority as he assumes leadership of the New York archdiocese is to be a pastor deeply connected to the lives of the faithful. Echoing a phrase often used by Pope Francis, he said he hopes to be a shepherd who carries “the smell of the sheep,” walking closely with people in their daily struggles and joys.
He spoke warmly of his desire to meet parishioners across the archdiocese, listen to their stories, and strengthen the life of faith through personal encounter. “I like people,” he said, emphasizing that the heart of his ministry will be grounded in relationships, shared prayer, and the proclamation of God’s love to all.
Reflecting on his years of service in Chicago and Joliet, Archbishop Hicks said those experiences prepared him well for the challenges of leading a major archdiocese. Working alongside Cardinal Cupich and other senior Church leaders, he learned the importance of sound governance, clear priorities, and administrative responsibility.
More importantly, he said, those years taught him the necessity of keeping the Church’s mission firmly centered on God. He cautioned against allowing internal distractions to overshadow the essential call of the Church: discerning God’s will, living the Gospel authentically, and inviting others into a life of faith.
Archbishop Hicks also addressed the sensitive and ongoing issue of clerical sexual abuse, particularly in light of the Archdiocese of New York’s recent announcement of a $300 million compensation fund for survivors.
He noted that growing up and serving in Chicago exposed him early to efforts by Church leaders, including Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, to establish strong safeguards, accountability structures, and pastoral responses for survivors. Those experiences shaped his conviction that the Church must treat abuse prevention and survivor care as enduring responsibilities, not as problems of the past.
“This is a sin of enormous gravity,” he said, stressing that the Church can never simply move on or declare the issue resolved. While financial compensation cannot undo harm, he expressed hope that the fund would contribute to healing for some survivors, even as the Church continues to strengthen child protection measures and maintain transparency.
At the same time, Archbishop Hicks emphasized that care for survivors must go hand in hand with the Church’s broader mission, ensuring that safeguarding, accountability, and pastoral outreach remain inseparable.
Archbishop Hicks also shared a personal connection with Pope Leo XIV, revealing that both grew up in neighboring areas of Chicago, just blocks apart. Drawing inspiration from the Pope’s vision, he said his hope for the Church in the United States is that it becomes a source of God’s light, peace, healing, and love in a divided world.
He underlined the importance of unity, dialogue, and cooperation, rejecting approaches that deepen polarization or foster hostility. Instead, he called for a Church that builds bridges and works together across differences.
Expressing public support for Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Hicks said he is committed to cooperating closely with the Holy Father, respecting his priorities, and helping translate them into concrete pastoral action.
“I am deeply grateful to Pope Leo for his trust,” he said, adding that it has been an honor to serve in both Chicago and Joliet. “With God’s help, I am ready to take this next step and serve the people of New York.”
Archbishop Hicks is expected to be formally installed in the coming weeks, marking a new chapter in the life of the Archdiocese of New York as it looks ahead with renewed pastoral focus and hope.