'I go with a shepherd's heart': Bishop Hicks speaks on being named to lead New York Archdiocese
Hicks had similar south suburban upbringing to Pope Leo XIV
JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) -- In his first TV interview in Chicago since being named leader of the New York Archdiocese, Bishop Ronald Hicks joined ABC7 Chicago from the Blanchette Catholic Center in Crest Hill Monday.
The announcement came last Thursday from the Vatican.
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It's one of the most prominent positions in the Catholic church.
New York City has some 2.8 million Catholics.
Bishop Hicks spoke about getting the call that he would become archbishop of New York.
"The call comes from the Apostolic Nuncio, who is like the ambassador for the pope. And when I saw it was his number I thought, 'I might be asked to do something.' And before I picked up the phone, I simply said to myself, 'Whatever he asks, the answer is yes. I say yes no matter what. And it is going to be a surprise I know, but no matter what, I'll say yes.' And so when he said, 'Congratulations, you are going to be the archbishop New York,' I said, 'Yes, tell the Holy Father thank you, and I am saying yes with a very humble and open heart,'" Bishop Hicks said.
Bishop Hicks also spoke about growing up about 14 blocks away from where Pope Leo XIV grew up.
"It was a great place to grow up, and I am grateful for everything we experienced there. We had probably very similar experiences of Catholicism, of neighborhood, of family and friends. I am proud that our histories share that in common," he said. "His house was in Dolton. I was right next-door in South Holland, and so similar neighborhoods, similar experiences of family and faith, growing up."
However, 12 years apart in age, the two never met until then-Cardinal Robert Prevost held a talk at one of Hicks' parishes in 2024, just months before Prevost became pope.
"People have been talking about what they're calling the the Leo effect. He understands the world. He understands the global perspective, and he wants to lead and also look for ways of building bridges, which I think he will, and I want to cooperate with him in that work also," he said.
Hicks also said he shares the same favorite pizza as the pope, Aurelio's.
"The original ovens, too, you have to ask for the pizza from the original ovens. It's a little different when it comes out," he said.
Hicks is set to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is retiring at the age of 75. The move is Pope Leo's first major American appointment, selecting a fellow Chicago-area native for the role.
The bishop has visited New York about 10 times before being named to become archbishop.
"I have always loved it," he said. "I have loved their energy and their culture and their plays and their neighborhoods. I have always loved New York, and I have always wanted to return. Now, I am going to return to stay. But the thing I think I have always loved is that there are so many people from so many parts of the world that call it home, and there is something wonderful. I look forward to getting to know them," he said. "Here is what I want to share with you. When it was announced that I was going to be the new archbishop, I spent the rest of the day in New York. And we did a number of interviews and programs and meeting people and just going along the streets of New York. What I saw and what I experienced was just amazing people coming to me in a friendly open way, 'You are the new guy? Good luck to you, God bless you. We are so happy for you; we are so happy for us.' It was just this great positive energy that I experienced there. I go with a shepherd's heart. I want to serve them. I want to continue to love God and love my neighbor and do it in a style that is collaborative and builds unity. I am looking forward to getting to know and to minister with the people there."
While he said he is excited for his opportunity in New York, he is still bittersweet about having to leave Joliet.
"I am going to miss this diocese of Joliet tremendously," Bishop Hicks said. "Like I said about the people of New York, I have experienced the same thing here in Joliet. It is the people; it is the clergy and the religious and the laity. For over five years, what I have said to them is because of you, I feel happy and grateful and blessed. And together we have done great things."
A few days after he got the call, he says the gravity of his new role is sinking in.
"I started thinking about the challenges and how big it is, and just saying, 'Well, this is, this is a major step. This is a major step.' And my style is first, trust foremost God, and try to do his will, not my will, and then also collaborate with some really good people," Hicks said.
Bishop Hicks says the church at its core needs to be accountable and transparent. For those who have lost trust in the leadership of the church over the years, Hicks acknowledges the revelations of abuse.
"We cannot be a church who thinks, well, the abuse crisis, that was our past. It happened then, and just forget about it. And let's move on. That's part of our church, and people were damaged and and hurt, and their lives were changed," Hicks said.
Seen as a more progressive leader than his predecessor, Cardinal Dolan, Hicks also recognizes the weight of the church's voice in political and cultural debates.
"There's so many issues out there, and there's so many ways of looking at them, do so in a respectful way that continues to follow what the church teaches, and do so in a pastoral heart," he said.
And as New Yorkers learned more about their new archbishop late last week, Hicks says he quickly let them know to what he is loyal.
"I said, 'I'm about to say potentially my first controversial statement.' I paused and I said, 'here it is. I'm a Cubs fan, and I'm a lover of deep dish pizza,'" he said.
Hicks joked if Pope Leo had known he was a Cubs fan, he may not have earned that appointment to be the next archbishop of New York.
Hicks has been a priest for more than 30 years and led the St. Raymond Cathedral in Joliet for the past five years. He's worked in the seminary system as a teacher and professor. He's done missionary work in El Salvador, and is fluent in Spanish. In many ways, his ascension within the church mirrors that of Pope Leo.
Bishop Hicks will be installed as archbishop in New York Feb. 6, at a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
