After Cardinal Dolan offers to settle sex-abuse cases, Pope Leo XIV appoints a successor in New York

Dec. 18, 2025

The pontiff has selected Ronald A. Hicks, the bishop of a diocese outside of Chicago, to replace a retiring Timothy Dolan as archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York. Earlier this year, Cardinal Dolan turned 75, an age requiring mandatory retirement for Church élites. This month, Cardinal Dolan announced a $300 million fund to settle sex abuse cases against the Church.

Further Reading :

• To replace New York’s archbishop, Chicago-born pope looks to home turf [The Washington Post]
  Dec. 18, 2025 — Ronald Hicks, widely seen as a moderate, will replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent conservative who has been supportive of President Donald Trump.
• N.Y. Archdiocese Will Negotiate Sex-Abuse Settlement for 1,300 Accusers [The New York Times]
  Dec. 8, 2025 — The archdiocese will raise at least $300 million to fund the settlement. It has agreed with its accusers on a mediator to conduct negotiations.
• As Cardinal Timothy Dolan turns 75, a time of transition begins in the Archdiocese of New York [CBS News New York]
  Feb. 6, 2025 — New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan turns 75 Thursday. Consequently, he has to submit his resignation to the Vatican. For now, it's just a formality required by church law, but it starts the clock on a time of transition for the Archdiocese of New York.

Key Words :

• ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
• Leo XIV
• Ronald A. Hicks
• Timothy Dolan