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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPope Leo appoints pro-migrant archbishop of New York, signaling Church's more robust approach to Trump
Pope Leo has appointed a new archbishop of New York who has first-hand experience of countries from where millions have emigrated to the United States, signaling the potential for a more outspoken approach from bishops on immigration.
The pope has chosen 58-year-old bishop Ronald Hicks to lead the church in New York, an appointment that comes at a time when the Trump administration has been ramping up its anti-immigration policies to which the Catholic Church in the US has responded with more vocal criticism.
Leos nomination of Hicks is his most significant appointment to the church in the United States since his election, with the archbishop of New York holding an important position on the national stage both in the church and across the US. Archbishops of New York are normally made cardinals, and Hicks can expect even greater scrutiny at a time when the Catholic Church is led by its first American pope.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/us/ronald-hicks-pope-archbishop-new-york-intl
UTUSN
(76,945 posts)orangecrush
(28,398 posts)Dread Pirate Roberts
(1,973 posts)The pope isnt relevant to the church anymore. Hes a Cornerstone prayer group guy. I guess he only listens to the teachings of the church that he agrees with-probably the first one to proclaim someone a cafeteria Catholic. He belongs to a parish with a very high immigrant presence. No problem with his fellow parishioners disappearing into ICE limbo.
SocialDemocrat61
(6,857 posts)
ancianita
(42,900 posts)Q: You helped Cardinal Cupich guide the Archdiocese of Chicago as Vicar General and as Auxiliary Bishop for several years. What from that experience do you think has prepared you for your new ministry?
I was blessed to work with Cardinal Cupich for six years in the Archdiocese of Chicago before being named in Joliet, where I became the Ordinary for the past five years.
During that time, I worked with him and a lot of very talented people. So, I learned some basic skills of governance, of administration, and also how to set priorities and keeping the mission of the Church in the center. I think that's probably one of the greatest things I learned...
Q: You grew up in the same neighbourhood of Chicago as Pope Leo XIV. As you lead a major US diocese, what hopes do you have for the Church in the United States?
I grew up in the suburb right next door to Pope Leo, about 14 blocks away from each other. And like Pope Leo, I'm looking for a Church that brings God's light to the world, His peace, His healing, His love.
I'm also looking forward to ways of doing so, not in a divisive way or tearing people apart, but looking for ways of unity and finding ways to cooperate with each other.
And you brought up Pope Leo: I just want to publicly say I want to cooperate with him. I want to respect his priorities and work with him to help bring those to reality, to light.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-12/pope-leo-xiv-appoints-ronald-hicks-new-archbishop-new-york.html