'I go with a shepherd's heart': Bishop Hicks speaks on being named to lead New York Archdiocese

Monday, December 22, 2025
JOLIET, Ill. -- Newly named archbishop of New York, Ronald Hicks says he's visited New York 10 or so times in his life, but the thing he has always appreciated most is its diversity.

"There's something wonderful about the people," Hicks said in an interview with our sister station WLS in Chicago on Monday. 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 met people and just went 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."

Watch the full interview in the media player above.

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