The Archbishop of New York, Ronald Hicks, has returned to public ministry after several weeks in which he was able to celebrate Mass only in private. He returned to the high altar of St Patrick’s Cathedral on 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration, to preside over the profession of vows of the Sisters of Life, the religious congregation founded in 1991 by Cardinal John O’Connor.
The health problem emerged in early July, shortly after Hicks returned from a pilgrimage to Rome. Doctors found that he had suffered a detached retina in his left eye, requiring prompt surgery. During the weeks following the operation, he was able to celebrate Mass only in private and had to withdraw from the public engagements that form part of the metropolitan archbishop’s schedule.
His return to the altar came on a particularly significant date. The 6 August also marked exactly six months since his installation, which took place on 6 February in the same New York cathedral. In a statement issued after the Mass, Hicks spoke of the “great joy” of being able to return to the high altar and share the occasion with the sisters, their families and the faithful gathered there.
Hicks, 58, is a native of Harvey, Illinois. Pope Leo XIV chose him on 18 December last year to succeed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who had led the archdiocese for sixteen years before stepping down on reaching the age of 75, as provided for under canon law. Hicks came to New York from the Diocese of Joliet, where he had served as bishop since 2020.
The Archdiocese of New York has more than two million Catholics across the city’s five boroughs and the surrounding counties, and is one of the most prominent episcopal sees in the United States.
