NY Catholics welcome Archbishop Ronald Hicks as their new spiritual shepherd

Archbishop Ronald Hicks was officially installed Friday as New York’s top Catholic leader, outlining a vision of a missionary church that would put people above politics.

“This is a call to be a missionary church not a country club,” Hicks said. “A club exists to serve its members. The Church exists, on the other hand, to go out and serve all people, on fire with faith with hope and charity, in the name of Jesus Christ. This is not a criticism. It’s simply an invitation to constantly renew who we are and rediscover why the Church exists.”

Hundreds of New Yorkers, tourists and dignitaries crowded into Manhattan’s venerable St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the hallowed archdiocese headquarters where Hicks will put his own stamp on one of the most important pulpits in the nation.

Decked in a festive red frock, Hicks seemed oblivious to the the bitter cold as he waited outside on the steps to make his grand entrance, and usher in a new era of service and worship on America’s largest Catholic stage.

When he finally entered — after knocking three times on the cathedral door with his pastoral staff — Hicks was greeted with a standing ovation, thunderous applause and an endless array of cellphone cameras documenting the festive moment.

“I believe the world always has and always will need a missionary Church,” Hicks said. “A Church that forms missionary disciples not passive spectators.”

Hicks drew loud applause when he spoke of upholding life from conception until a natural death, and when he extolled championing “unity across cultures and generations.”

But he got the biggest reaction when he spoke of his love for music and songs about Chicago and New York.

“Chicago will always be my kind of town,” he said. “But I’m in a New York state of mind.”

Not among the crowd was Mayor Mamdani, who didn’t attend due to a scheduling conflict. He congratulated the new archbishop in a post on X. Deputy Mayor Helen Arteaga attended.

Hicks, 58, who most recently was bishop of Joliet, Illinois, was appointed last month by Pope Leo, a fellow Chicagoan, signaling a more progressive New York archdiocese.

He replaces Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who had been New York’s archbishop since 2009.

Born in Harvey, Ill., Hicks grew up in South Holland, not far from the Chicago suburb of Dalton, where the pontiff was raised.

The two “played in the same parks, went swimming in the same pools, liked the same pizza places” Hicks told WG9 last year, when Leo began his tenure as leader of the Catholic Church. Their similarities extend to much of their ideologies, as well.

Like Leo, Hicks has embraced a more welcoming and inclusive vision of Catholicism, in part inspired by the late Pope Francis, with a specific focus on social justice.

Hicks has also already shown a willingness to push back against the Trump administration.

Last year, he endorsed a special message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemning recent immigration raids, which have targeted Chicago in particular.

Hicks sang along with the ceremony’s opening hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” before greeting the faithful and affirming his call.

“I accept the mandate of the Roman pontiff for the pastoral care of the people of God in the Archdiocese of New York,” Hicks said. “I resolve to serve faithfully the spiritual needs of this particular church.”

The changing of the guard began with birthday greetings for Dolan, who turned 76 on the same day he was stepping down. The thickly packed crowd joined together in a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” to the visibly humbled cardinal.

Dolan had submitted his offer to resign back last year, as is required of all bishops once they turn 75.

The New York Archdiocese serves 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, as well as seven counties to the north of the city.