Americans woke up to reports that Pope Leo XIV is preparing to accept the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan as Archbishop of New York, a move that would end Dolan’s long and visible tenure leading one of the nation’s most important archdioceses. Dolan submitted the customary resignation after turning 75 in February, and his long service in New York since 2009 is now drawing to a close as Vatican decisions unfold.
Sources say the Holy See may tap Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, to succeed Dolan, a choice that insiders note has ties to the new pope’s Midwest background and could signal a fresh start in the Big Apple. Whether Rome picks Hicks or another candidate, New Yorkers should expect a transition that will be watched closely for how firmly the archdiocese defends faith and tradition in an increasingly hostile cultural climate.
For decades Cardinal Dolan has been a steady, unapologetic voice for traditional Catholic teaching, religious liberty, and the common-sense values that built this country, and conservatives across America have noticed and appreciated his public witness. He has engaged with the nation in interviews and commentary, making the case for a Church that stands with families and the vulnerable rather than with fashionable secular ideas.
Patriotic Catholics should be frank about concerns: why did the Vatican wait so long to accept a resignation submitted in February, and what will the timing say about priorities at the top of the Church? The faithful in New York must be vigilant now more than ever, ready to defend parish life, catechesis, and the pro-life, pro-family teachings that Cardinal Dolan championed during his time in the spotlight.
As this story finalizes in the days ahead, ordinary Americans and churchgoers alike should thank Cardinal Dolan for his decades of service and pray for a successor who will preserve the Church’s moral clarity. Our communities need leaders who will stand up to the cultural left, protect religious freedom, and keep the light of faith shining bright for hardworking families across this country.
