Archbishop-designate of New York prepares for Friday's installation Mass
Hicks held a news conference Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown, where the special installation Mass will take place.
Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks is preparing to be installed Friday as the 11th archbishop of New York.
Hicks held a news conference Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown, where the special installation Mass will take place.
“I’m called here to be a pastor,” said Hicks. “I’m called here to be a shepherd; and as shepherd, my desire is to be a good shepherd.”
The shepherd is about to lead his new flock of more than 2 million Catholics within the archdiocese.
Hicks comes to New York after spending the last five years leading the Diocese of Jolliet in Illinois.
“New York is a place where the whole world lives and calls home; and the Catholic Church is universal, gathering and engaging everyone,” said Hicks.
The archbishop-designate was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago – just 14 blocks from where Pope Leo the 14th grew up.
Hicks previously served as a missionary in Latin America, including five years in El Salvador.
He had a message Thursday for immigrant families.
“How do we treat each other with respect?” said Hicks. “How simply do we see each other as brothers and sisters, and use that as a foundation for everything else?”
Hicks said he looks to build bridges and strengthen the faith with both Catholics and non-Catholics, including local elected officials.
“In politics, in government, there are going to be things we disagree on,” said Hicks. “But I'd also like to make sure we pay attention to what are those things that we can work together for the common good.”
The 58-year-old succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who served the Archdiocese of New York since 2009 and reached the church’s mandatory retirement age of 75.
The celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral kicks off Thursday night with a special prayer service known as vespers, and the official installation Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday.
