Overview
- Hicks, 58, moves from Joliet after years of ministry in Mexico and El Salvador, and he addressed New York Catholics in Spanish while emphasizing solidarity with migrants.
- The Vatican accepted Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s resignation just 10 months after he turned 75, a quicker transition than is typical for such a prominent see.
- The archdiocese has set up a roughly $300 million fund to compensate about 1,300 survivors, with property sales expected, and Hicks pledged continued prevention, transparency and care for victims.
- Analysts frame the choice as a moderation and bridge‑building shift from Dolan’s Trump‑aligned profile, aligning with recent episcopal criticism of mass deportations and the pope’s concerns about inhumane treatment of migrants.
- Reports indicate Hicks will be installed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on February 6, 2026, and the high‑visibility post traditionally brings elevation to cardinal, increasing scrutiny of his leadership.