Pope Leo has replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as head of the Catholic Church in New York, marking a significant shake-up in leadership of the US Church.
The pope appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks, a relatively unknown cleric from Illinois, to lead the nation’s second-largest diocese, which serves around 2.8 million Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and nearby counties.
Dolan, who has led New York since 2009 and previously chaired the US bishops’ conference, offered his resignation upon turning 75, as Church law requires, while Cardinals often continue until the age of 80.
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Hicks, 58, has served as leader of the Church in Joliet, Illinois since 2020 and previously worked under Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich, sharing a similar background with Pope Leo, including missionary work in Latin America.
The New York Archdiocese faces financial pressure, seeking to raise over $300 million for settlements with around 1,300 alleged abuse survivors, prompting staff cuts, property sales, and a 10% budget reduction announced by Dolan earlier this month.
Experts say Hicks is a supporter of Pope Francis’ reform agenda and is respected across divides in a polarized Church, contrasting with Dolan’s conservative profile and public support for politically conservative figures.
Hicks is scheduled to be installed on February 6, with Dolan remaining as interim leader until then, while observers highlight this transition as a step toward a more inclusive and reform-oriented leadership.