Hours after Pope Leo XIV accepted Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s resignation and appointed Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks as the next archbishop of New York, members of the archdiocesan family offered expressions of gratitude for Cardinal Dolan and words of welcome for Archbishop-designate Hicks.

“Cardinal Dolan has had a remarkable almost 17 years as the archbishop of New York. He really reached so many of the priests, the sisters, and the men and women of the archdiocese in a unique way. We all wish that we could keep him longer,” Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, vicar general of the archdiocese, told The Good Newsroom in a December 18 phone interview.  

Monsignor LaMorte also noted Cardinal Dolan’s “extremely outgoing personality, his love for the Church, his love of the priesthood.”

As for Archbishop-designate Hicks, the monsignor said he clearly has “a willingness to learn; he said he’s a fast learner – (ready) to really roll up his sleeves. He’s a very friendly person, and he’s certainly capable. He’s had missionary experience. I think he’ll be a natural for New York. I think over time, the people will come to love him.” 

Father John Higgins, pastor of Holy Cross Church in the Bronx, said via email, “Although I am thrilled to welcome Archbishop-designate Hicks as our new leader, I sure will miss Cardinal Dolan at the helm of our archdiocese. Cardinal Dolan has been exactly what we needed. I know that I personally and many in our archdiocese will miss his affable style, his ready smile, and quick wit. Throughout these years, I have always felt that he was going to make the right decision – even on tough issues.”

Father Higgins added, “He inspired me to be a better priest, especially through his capacity to see the positive in people and to look past the many inconveniences that go with the territory of being a leader. The good news is that he is not leaving us. I am so grateful that he let us know that he is planning to stay in New York. Our sincere hope is that God will give him many more fruitful years among us.”  

Krismely Garcia, coordinator of the Church of Saint Elizabeth’s Youth Ministry, Washington Heights, said, “Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s pending departure as Archbishop of New York marks the closing of a significant chapter for the archdiocese. He will likely be remembered for his joyful and energetic tenure as archbishop and for his loving care in helping everyone encounter Christ, which has been evident throughout his ministry. He led with optimism and a visible love for the people of the archdiocese. May God continue to bless him abundantly in his new mission.”  

Father Osvaldo Hernandez, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church, the Bronx, said, “As a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, I wish to express my profound gratitude to His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, for his exemplary leadership. His legacy in this metropolis is marked by a tireless service to Christ and an unwavering fidelity to the Magisterium. Thank you, Cardinal Dolan, for sharing with us the joy of the Gospel and for being a constant reflection of Christ’s smile among us. May God continue to shower you with blessings in this new chapter of your life.”    

At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the rector, Father Enrique Salvo, told The Good Newsroom, “One of the biggest blessings we’ve had here for the past nearly 17 years was to have a shepherd like Cardinal Dolan, to be our archbishop, our spiritual father. We will surely miss him, and we will forever be grateful for him – we hope that he will always be in our lives.”  

Father Salvo also noted, “At the same time, we are very happy to welcome Archbishop designate Hicks. We’re very excited that Pope Leo chose him through the Holy Spirit; we’re so excited that he’s the one who’s coming here. We will welcome him with open arms and be there for him to assist him in his mission.”  

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Dominick J. Lagonegro said the cardinal overall “has done a great job, a tremendous job. One of the things that I admired about him was his concern for priests. He had a very real concern for the priests of the archdiocese. He was a great asset for them.”  

Bishop Lagonegro said Archbishop-designate Hicks “is going to be another great archbishop for New York. I was very impressed with him.”   

Artemio Silva, president of the archdiocesan Our Lady of Guadalupe Committee, said he appreciated Cardinal Dolan’s support for Hispanic ministries and all the Spanish Marian Masses at the cathedral. “We are grateful for his support,” Silva said, “It was always very good, his efforts, his support.”  

Read Cardinal Dolan’s message to the faithful announcing the appointment of the Most Reverend Ronald Hicks here.