In a significant change for the Catholic Church in the United States, Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, has been selected by Pope Leo to take the helm of the New York Archdiocese. This announcement was officially confirmed by the Vatican on Thursday morning.

Bishop Hicks will succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is stepping down from his role. This new appointment marks a major transition in Hicks’s career, as he was only appointed as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in 2020. Hicks, who hails from the south suburbs, expressed his gratitude for his tenure in Joliet.

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“I have been deeply blessed to serve the people of the Diocese of Joliet,” Bishop Hicks stated. “I will carry the faith, generosity, and the spirit of this diocese with me as I begin this new chapter of ministry.” His commitment to the community he leaves behind was evident in his heartfelt words.

Until his official installation in New York, Bishop Hicks will continue fulfilling his duties in Joliet, ensuring a smooth transition for his successor and maintaining the diocese’s operations during this period of change.

“I have been deeply blessed to serve the people of the Diocese of Joliet,” Bishop Hicks said. “I will carry the faith, generosity, and the spirit of this diocese with me as I begin this new chapter of ministry.”

Bishop Hicks will continue serving the Diocese of Joliet until his installation in New York.

The bulletin from the Vatican said, “The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of New York (USA), presented by His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan.

“The Holy Father has appointed His Excellency Ronald A. Hicks as Metropolitan Archbishop of New York (USA), transferring him from the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois (USA).

Curriculum Vitae

“His Excellency Ronald Aldon Hicks was born on 4 August 1967 in Chicago (Illinois), in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of the same name. He attended Niles College Seminary and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago. He was a volunteer with the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Foundation. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He subsequently qualified as a Doctor of Ministry at the same university.

“He was ordained a priest for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Chicago on 21 May 1994.

“He has held the following positions: Parish Vicar of Our Lady of Mercy in Chicago (1994-1996) and Saint Elizabeth Seton in Orland Hills (1996-1999); Dean of Formation at Saint Joseph College Seminary (1999-2005); Regional Director of the charitable organisation Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in Mexico and El Salvador (2005-2009); Faculty Member and then Dean of Formation at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein (2010-2014); Vicar General (2015-2020).

“Appointed Titular Bishop of Munaziana and Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago on 3 July 2018, he received episcopal consecration on 17 September of the same year.

“On 17 July 2020, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois.”