Archbishop Ronald Hicks marks inaugural Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with lighthearted nods

Ronald Hicks delivered his first Sunday homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral after being installed as New York's archbishop, using contrasts such as sports and pizza to illustrate a theme and stressing evangelization and care for the vulnerable.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks celebrated his inaugural Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral after being officially installed as archbishop of New York on Friday. He framed his homily around the word "however," using lighthearted local examples about sports and pizza to illustrate contrasts and deeper truths. Hicks also outlined priorities for the archdiocese, including evangelizing and caring for poor and vulnerable people. The service reflected both personal touches and institutional responsibilities as he begins the role. Key details: - Hicks is the 11th archbishop of New York and had been installed on Friday, taking the reins from Cardinal Timothy Dolan. - In his homily he discussed the word "however," joked about New Yorkers trying to convert his Cubs and deep-dish pizza loyalties, and used a Super Bowl example to illustrate contrasts. - He emphasized evangelization, catechesis, making disciples, and duties to care for the poor and vulnerable, and spoke of defending life "from conception to our natural death." - Hicks began his homily with the sign of the cross in Spanish and is noted as being fluent in Spanish. - His background includes five years overseeing care for the poor and an orphanage in El Salvador and service as bishop of Joliet, Ill.; the article reports he was named to the New York post by Pope Leo XIV in December. - Before Dolan left the post, the archdiocese reached a $300 million settlement involving clergy sex-abuse victims; Hicks will oversee implementation of that settlement. Summary: Hicks' opening Mass combined familiar, approachable remarks with a focus on missionary work and social duties within a large archdiocese. He assumes leadership responsibilities that include overseeing the implementation of a previously announced $300 million settlement, and his public priorities for the community are evangelization and care for vulnerable people.