Mayor’s Absence at Archbishop Installation Raises Eyebrows

Last week, Mayor Zoran Mamdani made a controversial decision that has sparked criticism among the local Catholic community. For the first time in nearly a century, he omitted attending the installation of the new archbishop, an event steeped in tradition.

Ronald Hicks, aged 58, officially took over from Cardinal Timothy Dolan during a ceremonial occasion at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday, marking his role as the 11th archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York since 1850.

The notable tradition of mayors attending this installation dates back to at least 1939, when Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia was present for the inauguration of Cardinal Francis Spellman. Historically, mayors of New York City have honored the new leadership of one of the largest Catholic congregations in the nation, representing hundreds of thousands of constituents. However, this year, Mamdani opted for other commitments over a potential appearance at the ceremony.

Hitzner, who recently highlighted World Hijab Day on social media, missed the event and shared a lackluster message about Hicks’ installation instead.

Mamdani tweeted, “Congratulations to Archbishop Ronald Hicks on today’s installment and welcome to New York City,” but he didn’t attend the ceremony that began at 2 p.m. City Hall has refrained from commenting on his noticeable absence, despite inquiries from various outlets.

When one reporter sought clarification on this apparent oversight, a representative for the mayor simply stated, “The mayor did not go, but tweeted about it.” This seems to imply that a quick social media post can substitute for in-person respect, which many critics interpreted as a snub to the Catholic community.

The Catholic Federation of New York expressed discontent, suggesting Mamdani’s actions signal that Catholics may not feel welcome in his administration. They pointed out that it is customary for the mayor to attend such installations, and highlighted that Mamdani, who received an invitation, effectively disrupted the occasion by not being present.

Interestingly, the mayor’s public schedule only included a prayer breakfast earlier in the day and a winter weather press conference later, which seemed less significant in comparison to a major ceremony just a few blocks away.

Notably, Governor Kathy Hochul, also a Catholic, was unable to attend due to prior commitments in Syracuse.

Bill Cunningham, who served as a communications director under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, remarked that Mamdani’s absence was a “mistake.” He emphasized that the moment was a missed opportunity for the mayor to show his dedication to serving all city residents, acknowledging the considerable influence of the Catholic Church in New York.

Historically, administrations regardless of faith have recognized the importance of the position, with past mayors like Bloomberg and Ed Koch attending such events. Even Rudy Giuliani participated in Cardinal Edward Egan’s inauguration in 2000.

Ken Friedman, a former spokesperson for Giuliani’s campaign, criticized Mamdani’s absence, indicating that it reflects poorly on his attitude toward diverse communities within New York. He suggested that Mamdani’s choice sends an unwanted message to various groups, including those who are Italian, Irish, and Catholic.

With about 2.5 million Catholics residing in the Archdiocese of New York, including areas such as Manhattan and Staten Island, the mayor’s decision has prompted considerable discussion about the implications for his relationship with this significant segment of the population.