Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks speaks flanked by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, outgoing Archbishop of New York, during a press conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in New York City, US, December 18, 2025. © REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
(New York, NY) – Much like the pope in Rome, a Catholic from Illinois will soon be heading up the Roman Catholic Church in New York City. Cardinal Timothy Dolan has submitted his resignation at age 75, and will be stepping down as head of the New York Archdiocese — having served in the role since 2009.
Now, Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks, from his home state of Illinois, as the next Archbishop. Cardinal Tim Dolan has been a fixture in New York City life and its faith community for 16 years. He will be missed in that role, but remains busy planning for a Christmas Mass being held for archdiocesan employees, which is being live streamed at 2:00 pm.
Cardinal Dolan also penned a goodbye letter to his church family.
So who is Bishop Ronald Hicks? Currently the head of the Diocese of Joliet, rumors have suggested the 58-year-old bishop would replace Dolan after he turned 75 in February. That’s standard retirement age for the Catholic Church. Having grown up in South Holland, Illinois, Hicks was appointed bishop in July 2020.
Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost, was raised on Chicago’s South Side — not far from Joliet. He is the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.
Hicks also talked to WGN-TV News when Pope Leo was appointed pontiff, “he’s a normal guy from a normal neighborhood we grew up in. For me, it makes him so relatable.” There are questions as to whether or not Hicks will remain focused on providing restitution to victims of child sex abuse scandals, as connected to Catholic priests. Cardinal Dolan has been focused on making things right, and has acknowledged the abuse scandal: the scandal “brought shame upon our church,” asking victims for forgiveness.”
There are approximately 1,300 child sex abuse claims that have been made against clergy and lay staffers in the Archdiocese of New York. And efforts are underway to raise upwards of $300 million in order to settle these claims. These include cost-cutting measures, layoffs, and property sales. For example, the archdiocese is selling the land beneath the Lotte New York Palace hotel in Midtown for $490 million. Their former headquarters on First Avenue are also being sold for $100 million — with proceeds funding the settlement and prior loans.
The Coalition for Just & Compassionate Compensation, a church abuse survivors’ group, has urged Pope Leo to ensure that Dolan’s commitments to settlements continue under Hicks’ leadership. They put out a statement that reads, in part: “It is precisely in light of these commitments that the timing of a leadership transition in New York is so concerning. … An announcement at this juncture — whether intentional or made without full appreciation of its impact — risks delaying, destabilizing, or undermining an active mediation process that is already underway and supported by concrete financial and institutional steps.”
That same letter noted that, “for survivors, such disruption would not be procedural. It would be deeply personal and harmful.”
