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Era of Archbishop Ronald Hicks Begins in The Archdiocese of New York

By Jessica Easthope and Bill Miller

The era of Archbishop Ronald Hicks as shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York officially began on Feb. 6 with his installation Mass at a filled-to-capacity St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Hicks became the 14th leader — and 11th archbishop — of the archdiocese since its creation in 1808. During his homily, he described a mission statement of evangelism to mark his episcopacy.

“The Church,” he asserted, “exists to proclaim Jesus Christ and the Gospel to everyone — publicly and credibly, without fear, to every culture and circumstance. That is the kind of Church I believe we are called to be here in the Archdiocese of New York.

“We are called to be a missionary Church, a Church that catechizes, evangelizes, and puts our faith into action, a Church made up of missionary disciples who go out and make disciples, passing the thing on from one generation to the next.”

The congregation heartily applauded when Archbishop Hicks proclaimed that such a Church, “takes care of the poor and the vulnerable” and “defends, respects and upholds life from conception to natural death.”

Such a Church, he added, “cares for creation, builds bridges, and listens to and protects children.”

Further, he said, it “promotes healing for survivors and all for those who have been wounded by the Church.”

Also, during his homily and closing remarks, Archbishop Hicks expressed gratitude.

“To all the people of New York,” he said, “and everyone in the three boroughs, the seven counties of the archdiocese, the clergy, religious, the laity, and all the faithful — thank you for your prayers, thank you for your enthusiasm, and thank you for your warm welcome.”

The archbishop, a native of South Holland, Illinois, then turned his attention to the Diocese of Joliet, which he served until Pope Leo XIV announced in mid-December that he would become the spiritual father of the Archdiocese of New York.

“To everyone from Chicagoland and from the Diocese of Joliet, I carry you in my heart,” he said. “Thank you for being disciples, who make disciples.”

Next came his parents, Ronald and Roselee Hicks, who, he said, were watching the installation via live stream.

“To my mom and dad,” he said. “You are the best. Thank you for always showing me what unconditional love looks like.”

Archbishop Hicks succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, now archbishop emeritus, who retired after leading the archdiocese for more than 16 years.

As per custom, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, was on hand to represent Pope Leo XIV. The nuncio read the pope’s appointment letter declaring Archbishop Hicks as the new leader of the archdiocese.

But first, Cardinal Pierre had a few words about Cardinal Dolan.

“By the way,” the nuncio said, “it is his birthday.”

He then led the congregation to sing “Happy Birthday” to Cardinal Dolan, who beamed with his quintessential joviality.

Archbishop Hicks also praised his predecessor.

“Thank you for your magnanimous leadership here for 17 years,” he told Cardinal Dolan. “In a particular way, I want to thank you for your gracious support of me, both personally and publicly.”

“I have been working with you and learning from you for over 11 years now,” Archbishop Hicks said. “Thank you for your example and your mentorship.”

Prelates from all over the country attended the installation Mass, including Bishop Robert Brennan and Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, and Auxiliary Bishops James Massa, Octavio Cisneros, Witold Mroziewski, and Raymond Chappetto, all from the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Joining them in the procession was Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, the current pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Corona, Queens, who will soon become bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida.

Bishop Brennan congratulated the new archbishop and added that the cathedral, “was filled with great faith, joy, and love.”

“Archbishop Hicks is a wonderful man and a powerful evangelizer, filled with the spirit of the Gospel,” Bishop Brennan said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working alongside Archbishop Hicks as we serve one city together, a rare occurrence in which one city is home to two dioceses.

“May the faithful unite in prayer for Archbishop Hicks, in gratitude for Cardinal Dolan, and in asking for God’s blessing upon all of us here in New York City.”

In closing, Archbishop Hicks invited everyone to join him in the mission statement of evangelism.

“So, as always, let’s go out, strengthened by the Eucharist, set by the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit,” he said. “The mission is before us. The world is waiting with hope.

“And, behold, God is with us. Always.”

Currents News Special: Installation of Archbishop Ronald Hicks

Currents News takes an in-depth look at the man now called to lead the Archdiocese of New York as Archbishop Ronald Hicks prepares to begin his ministry at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

From his roots on the South Side of Chicago to his years serving orphaned children in El Salvador, Archbishop Hicks shares the personal faith journey, missionary heart, and pastoral vision that shaped his call to shepherd 2.8 million Catholics across New York.

This special newscast includes:

  • A closer look at Archbishop Hicks’ background, family life, and the moments that sparked his vocation.
  • Insider insight at the centuries-old traditions of an archbishop’s installation, explaining the rituals and symbols that mark the beginning of leadership in a new diocese.
  • The warm welcome Archbishop Hicks received from the Archdiocese of New York during Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral shortly after the announcement he would lead them.
  • A reflection on the transition of leadership as Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated his final Sunday Mass after submitting his resignation.

The Installation of Archbishop Robert Hicks: A Special Look

By Currents News

He’s just celebrated his first Sunday Mass as the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of New York — here’s a special look back at Archbishop Ronald Hicks’ installation Mass, from the first knock to the last hymn at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Federal Judge Blocks End of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

By Currents News

Thousands of Haitians seeking refuge in the United States are breathing a sigh of relief after a federal judge blocked a motion to end their Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Parishioners gathered Tuesday at St. Jerome Church in East Flatbush to celebrate the decision, offering prayers in Creole. Temporary Protected Status allows immigrants from designated countries to live and work legally in the United States until it is deemed safe for them to return home.

An estimated 350,000 Haitians currently benefit from the program. The Department of Homeland Security first designated Haiti for TPS in 2010 following a devastating earthquake. Those attending the Mass said conditions in Haiti remain extremely unstable and that many fear what would happen if they were forced to return.

“There’s no security — they’re kidnapping, they’re raping, they’re killing,” said Jean Nelzy Solages, a parishioner at St. Jerome Church. “We don’t want to see the people go back at this time.”

Pierre Kesnel Elisee, a parishioner at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church, echoed those concerns, describing widespread violence and instability. “They’re burning houses, they’re kidnapping,” he said. “Fourteen-year-olds are being recruited by gangs to commit atrocities.”

Michele Guerrier, a member of the Haitian Apostolate, called the situation in Haiti “unimaginable” and said it goes against basic Christian values.

Following the court’s decision, many churches across the Diocese of Brooklyn plan to hold Masses of thanksgiving for the temporary stay, including St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church in East Flatbush.

Statue of Mary Vandalized at Queens Church for Second Time in Recent Months

By Currents News

A statue of the Virgin Mary was smashed at St. Gertrude’s Church in Far Rockaway, marking the second act of vandalism at the parish in recent months.

According to the pastor, Father Francis Shannon, the damage occurred sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. He said a vandal appears to have thrown an object at the head of the statue, smashing the back of it and causing the statue to topple to the ground.

Father Shannon believes the same individual may be responsible for both attacks on the parish. In an interview with Currents News, he expressed concern that the suspect could be dealing with more than just mental illness, describing the act as deeply troubling.

The parish is now working closely with police as the investigation continues. Father Shannon said plans are underway to repair the statue and place it inside a protective glass case in hopes of preventing future vandalism.

Next Archbishop of New York Offers Hint of His Top Priorities

By Katie Vasquez and Paula Katinas

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN — One day ahead of his installation at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York offered a hint of his priorities during a wide-ranging press conference on Feb. 5. 

He emphasized the importance of evangelization, offered a message to the city’s immigrants, and noted that he looks forward to working with Mayor Zohran Mamdani “for the common good.”  

Archbishop Hicks said his installation Mass will be a family affair, with many of his relatives in attendance and four of them bringing up the gifts before Communion. 

RELATED: The Ritual That Will Welcome the New Archbishop of New York

“I have hit the lottery with my parents, my family,” he said. “We’re close. They’re going to be there with my friends who have journeyed along the way.”  

His nephew, Grant Hicks, will also perform a reading at the Liturgy of the Hours on the evening of Feb. 5 at the cathedral, which Archbishop Hicks will preside over. 

He also noted that there will, of course, be Catholic hierarchy gathered at the installation, but to quote Pope Francis, there will also be “todos, todos, todos.”

As for his pastoral priorities, Archbishop Hicks said evangelization is at the top of his list.  

“One of my focuses is going to be evangelization,” he said. “How do we actually be disciples who make disciples? People who have been a part of the Church, but not so much — how do we engage? How do we pass the faith on to the next generation? How do we be a Church that is thriving and relevant?” 

RELATED: A Timeline of Archbishop Ronald Hicks

Archbishop Hicks’ message for immigrants emphasized the Church’s teachings on social justice and human dignity. He asked, “How do we see each other as brothers and sisters and use that as a foundation for everything else?” He also noted that he requested that the liturgy at his installation also be said in Spanish. 

Asked about Mamdani, Archbishop Hicks said the two have not yet met.  

“I look forward to meeting him and getting to know him,” he said. “What I’d like to do as archbishop, here, is understand that in politics, in government, (there) are going to be things that we disagree on, but I’d also like to make sure we pay attention to what are those things we can work on together for the common good.”  

In some lighter moments, Archbishop Hicks joked that while he has already fallen in love with New York, he remains a Chicago Cubs fan. He also said that he remains partial to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza over New York’s, noting that he has “never met a pizza that I don’t like. So, I am looking forward to continuing that debate.”