At a time when the United States has intensified anti-immigration policies, Pope Leo XIV appointed Ronald Hicks, known for a moderate stance, to lead the archdiocese of New York. The current bishop of Joliet, Illinois, will replace retired Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has held the position since 2009, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Hicks, 58, grew up in South Holland, Illinois, making him a countryman of Pope Leo XIV. Like the pontiff, he dedicated himself to missionary work and worked for five years in El Salvador, where he led a program of orphanages managed by the church, which covered nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Before that, it had a similar presence in Mexico.
Considered a bishop “very much in the style of Leo XIV”, Hicks himself recognizes the similarities. “We literally grew up in the same neighborhood. We played in the same parks, we swam in the same pools, we liked the same pizzerias,” he shared. em statements to Chicago broadcaster WGN9, in May.
Pope Leo XIV has already manifested against the Donald Trump administration on immigration issuesand Hicks takes a similar stance. In November, he condemned the Trump administration’s immigration operations, regarding the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. He asked Catholics to share a message of “solidarity with all our brothers and sisters by expressing our concerns, opposition and hopes with clarity and conviction. It is grounded in the church’s enduring commitment to the Catholic social doctrine of human dignity and the call for meaningful immigration reform.”
Quoted by Associated Pressthe Reverend Eusebius Martis, stated that “taking on a new role as Archbishop of New York is an enormous responsibility”, but believes that Hicks “is up to the task”. She describes him as a “wonderful man, always thoughtful and attentive to the needs of seminarians”.
It is distinguished from its predecessor by its moderate stance. An example of this was Hicks’ opposition to the measures proposed by some US bishops that aimed to ban former president Joe Biden from taking communion, for defending the right to abortion. Quoted by CNN USAcommentator Sean Winters reiterated that Hicks is “committed to the church’s social teachings, such as concern for the marginalized, support for unions, and combating economic injustice.”
Hicks graduated from seminary in 1985 and went on to Loyola University Chicago to study philosophy. He finished his studies with a Master of Divinity at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He was ordained in 1994 and became parish priest in Chicago. In addition, he was rector at Mundelein Seminary, until he was appointed by Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago as vicar general of the archdiocese in 2015. After three years, he became auxiliary bishop and, in 2020, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Joliet.
One of the first tasks he will take on as Archbishop of New York is related to a sex scandal. In view of around 1,300 reports of sexual abuse, the outgoing archbishop drew up a compensation plan for the victims. Approved last week, Hicks will continue the process.
Text written by Marta Rodrigues and edited by João Miguel Salvador.