Pope Leo Replaces New York’s Retiring Archbishop, a Friend of President Trump, With a Pro-Migrant Successor
Bishop Ronald Hicks' appointment to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a friend of Trump, marks a major shakeup in U.S. Catholic leadership.
Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a friend of President Donald Trump who has served in the position since 2009, as New York’s newest archbishop, a major shake-up in the country’s Catholic leadership that appears to continue the pontiff’s pushback against Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown.
Leo’s decision to appoint Hicks, who has endorsed criticism of the treatment of migrants under the Trump Administration, aligns with the Pope’s own increasingly vocal defenses of migrants’ rights amid the President’s intensifying enforcement campaign across the U.S.
Hicks referred to the “great heart” he has for the Latino community at a press conference in New York after the Vatican’s Thursday announcement of his appointment.
“I was really formed by the Latino church,” said the bishop, who served in El Salvador for years leading a church-run program that provides support for orphaned children. “And I have a great heart for the Latino community. And so we have someone who not only speaks Spanish but understands that this community is a vital part of the church. And I think what you're going to see is that I love all people.”
Read more: Pope Leo Is Becoming Increasingly Vocal About Defending Immigrants From Trump’s Crackdown
Dolan, who received Trump’s praise as a potential candidate for the papacy earlier this year, has been a prominent conservative in the country’s Catholic leadership and supportive of the President. On immigration in particular, though, he has at times been critical of Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s rhetoric and advocated this year in favor of a less hard-line and more “unifying” approach involving both increased border security and “sound, fair, and benevolent immigration reform.”
Dolan offered to resign in February from his post in New York after turning 75, which is a requirement under Church law, though many Cardinals continue to serve until the mandatory retirement age of 80. A bishop’s resignation is reviewed by the Pope, who can then decide whether to accept the submission.
Hicks is to be installed as New York’s archbishop on Feb. 6, the archdiocese said in a statement. Dolan will remain as an interim leader until then.
Dolan announced earlier this month that the archdiocese would set up a $300 million 1,300 outstanding sexual abuse claims against priests and other staff members, saying it had reduced its operating budget and staff and would raise further money by selling off some assets.