Friday, Ronald Hicks will be installed as the next archbishop of New York.<\/p>\n
Hicks is taking over for Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who is retiring.<\/p>\n
Archbishop-designate Hicks will soon lead more than 2 million Catholics across New York.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Hicks said Vespers, or evening prayers, were a time for reflection and gratitude as he prepares to take on his new role.<\/p>\n
He is stepping into one of the most prominent leadership positions in the Catholic Church, succeeding Dolan, who has led the archdiocese for more than a decade.<\/p>\n
Watch Eyewitness News special coverage of the installation of Archbishop Hicks on Friday at 2 p.m. right here<\/a><\/p>\n The Mass of Installation will take place at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.<\/p>\n The ceremony is expected to begin with Hicks arriving at the cathedral and knocking on its doors.<\/p>\n Cardinal Dolan will greet him, and Hicks will be presented with a crucifix. A letter from the pope will be read, and Hicks will then be led to the archbishop’s chair.<\/p>\n Hicks is coming from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, a much smaller diocese, to lead one of the most influential archdioceses in the country, based in New York City.<\/p>\n Ahead of the installation, Hicks spoke about how he is feeling as he steps into this new chapter.<\/p>\n “So many people have been asking me, ‘so, how do you feel?’ ‘How ya feeling?’ And you know what the curious thing is – many people don’t even allow me to give an answer,” Hicks said. “‘Do you feel happy? Do you feel unsure? Do you feel peaceful? Do you feel blessed?’ When I finally answer them, I simply say ‘yes.'”<\/p>\n Bishop Hicks also spoke in Spanish during his news conference on Thursday<\/a> and pointed out his years of service in Central America.<\/p>\n That time in El Salvador cultivated a keen understanding of Latino culture and will prove helpful in his ministry not just to immigrants but to everyone.<\/p>\n “One of my focuses will be evangelization, how do we be actually be disciples, who do we make disciples,” Hicks said. “People who have been a part of the church but maybe not so much…How do we re-engage.”<\/p>\n ———- Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n
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