Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks: A Look at New York's New Catholic Leader

Background and Calling

• 💡 Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks, soon to be New York's 11th archbishop, grew up outside Chicago with a deep calling to serve.
• 🎯 His motivation stems from a profound love for Jesus, which has guided his path as a priest and bishop.

Ministry and Global Experience

• 🌍 Before his seminary years, Hicks volunteered with Our Little Brothers in Mexico in 1989, an organization aiding vulnerable children.
• ✈️ He later served as regional director for the group in El Salvador (2005-2010), overseeing homes for children in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
• 🗣️ This experience in Latin America, including his fluency in Spanish, has shaped his ministry.

Leadership in New York

• 🏙️ Hicks will now lead New York's 2.8 million Catholics, acknowledging he has visited the city only about 10 times prior.
• 🤝 He shares a unique connection with Pope Francis, having grown up in the same Chicago neighborhood and sharing a love for baseball.

Challenges and Hopes

• ⚠️ Hicks inherits a challenging archdiocese, facing issues like priest departures and clergy sex abuse settlements.
• ✅ He expresses hope for continued progress in accountability, transparency, and healing within the church.
• 🗓️ His official installation is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with live coverage available on Channel 7 and ABC7 streaming.