Archdiocese of New York Welcomes New Archbishop
On Friday, Cardinal Timothy Dolan officially passed the leadership of the Archdiocese of New York to Archbishop Ronald Hicks. The event began with three knocks on the grand doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Archbishop Hicks, 58, arrived a few minutes early, dressed in traditional red, gold, and white vestments. This ceremony marked his take over of one of the largest Catholic archdioceses in the United States.
At 2 p.m., using a small bronze hammer, he knocked three times on the doors of the cathedral and was welcomed inside by Dolan. This tradition signifies his formal induction into his new role.
People gathered outside the cathedral to catch a glimpse of the new archbishop, the first to take this position since 2009. Many were eager to see Hicks lead the community.
“Honestly, I’m just a huge fan,” said Alex Burns, 37, one of the many onlookers. “I think he can really inspire people to reconnect with the Church and its core values.”
Burns expressed his excitement, noting, “It’s not every day you witness a new archbishop’s first day! Sure, I wish we were inside, but being here is better than just watching from home.”
Hicks hails from Illinois, not far from where Pope Leo XIV was born, and takes over from Dolan, who has been a prominent figure since 2009.
Having spent five years dedicated to serving the poor and overseeing an orphanage in El Salvador, Hicks is fluent in Spanish, and it was anticipated that he would conduct part of Friday’s Mass in the language.
Dolan received a warm standing ovation from the audience, including Hicks, at the beginning of the ceremony. The day was also notable as it marked Dolan’s 76th birthday; attendees spontaneously began to sing “Happy Birthday.”
A letter from the pope regarding Hicks’ appointment was then read aloud.
The Archdiocese, which encompasses Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Northern Manhattan, is one of the largest in the country, with around 2.5 million Catholics.
