By Catholics for Catholics
Following Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s resignation, Pope Leo XIV has named Chicago-native Bishop Aldon Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois as the new Archbishop of New York. The pope also hails from Chicago.
Considered one of the most significant postings in the United States, and also the most populous, Bishop Hicks’ appointment could be a signifier of how the Holy Father intends to proceed on key issues, including the Latin Mass (TLM).
The Latin Mass
Catholics from the bishop’s diocese say Hicks has been protective of the Latin Mass. According to the National Catholic Register, one resident said, “I have and continue to have a great sense of gratitude to Bishop Hicks for his pastoral wisdom in shielding his flock from the draconian measures issued in Traditionis Custodes. He knew that the TLM communities had and would continue to bear fruit in his diocese, and he went out of his way to preserve them.” Bishop Hicks seemed to quietly protect TLM and perhaps tried to stay under the radar while doing so.
Bishop Hicks has also been seen distributing communion on the tongue.
Bishop Hicks is also a great promoter of the Holy Eucharist.
— Tridentine Brewing (@TridentineBrew) December 16, 2025
While Cardinal Cupich wouldn’t even let there be a procession through Chicago for the Eucharistic Congress, Bishop Hicks led them in his neighboring diocese.
Here he is leading one at our diocesan TLM parish. https://t.co/D8YPkxlbNW pic.twitter.com/L3vbfbu7vE
Abortion
Last year, Bishop Hicks wrote that “one’s value should not depend on whether one lives inside the womb or outside of the womb.” He continued, “Too many people support a culture that claims that human life only has value once he or she is living outside of the womb. However, in the Catholic Church, we support a counter-cultural point of view. Namely, we value life from conception to natural death. God is the creator and author of life, and life itself is a gift from God. Therefore, we respect, support, pray, promote, and value life both inside and outside of the womb.”
Hicks was, however, apparently one of the bishops that opposed a USCCB vote in 2021 on “Eucharistic coherence” which pertained to pro-abortion politicians receiving the Holy Eucharist.
Immigration
Bishop Hicks is considered “pro-migrant,” especially given his statement in November in support of the USCCB’s controversial letter on immigration which expressed disturbance at the supposed “climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement” and “vilification of immigrants.” Bishop Hicks wrote that the letter “affirms our solidarity with all our brothers and sisters as it expresses our concerns, opposition, and hopes with clarity and conviction.”
In his closing remarks accepting the post, Bishop Hicks said, “I love Jesus with my mind, heart and soul, and I strive to love my neighbor as myself. My desire is to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and to do the will of God serving with a shepherd’s heart. I trust and I surrender my life and my will to God and with great humility I accept this appointment.”
Let us pray for the new archbishop of New York, that he may be a faithful and diligent shepherd for the Catholic Church.
Watch Full News Conference with Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Hicks
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