General Discussion

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation from ... Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and named Ronald Hicks as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of New York on Thursday, December 18, transferring him from the Diocese of Joliet in the US state of Illinois...

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.