At his February 6th installation Mass as New York’s 11th bishop, Archbishop Ronald Hicks offered a memorable, spiritually rousing, and entertaining inaugural homily.
Knowing how he ended his homily gives context for how he began it. He left us with these words,
Let’s go out. The mission is before us. The world is waiting with hope and God is with us always.”
He was calling upon his new archdiocese, home to 2.5 million Catholics, to be a missionary Church. But he chose to begin his inaugural homily with song lyrics from popular artists.
While it would be an overstatement to start calling him “Broadway Ron,” newly installed Archbishop Ronald Hicks—photographed below holding his official assignment from Pope Leo XIV—is aware that he is now leading an archdiocese that is located in one of the cultural capitals of the world.
At a press conference the day prior to his installation, Archbishop Hicks said, “New York is a place where the whole world lives and calls home, and the Catholic Church is universal, gathering and engaging everyone.”
Accordingly, he drew words and inspiration during his installation Mass not only from the scriptures, but also from the lyrics of various icons who have sung about New York in their music. By drawing upon the city’s cultural legacy, Archbishop Hicks was able to introduce his down-to-earth pastoral style to his people for the first time.
He explained, “I almost always have a song playing my head.” Archbishop Hicks then called out the lyrics that described his initial impressions of living and working in New York:
“I’m in a New York state of mind,” he said, quoting Billy Joel.
“I want to be a part of it New York, New York,” quoting Frank Sinatra as the cathedral roared with applause.
He even switched into Spanish quoting the song, “Un Verano en Nueva York,” from the Puerto Rican salsa legend El Gran Combo. Translated to A Summer in New York, the hit was recently covered by Bad Bunny and exclaims, “If you want to enjoy exquisitely and with enchantment all you have to do is spend a summer in New York.”
Archbishop Hicks stated that the Papal Nuncio, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who oversaw the installation Mass on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, encouraged him to “be himself.”
And he did just that. He did not begin his ministry in New York with a highbrow, academic, or policy-laced message. Rather, he was true to himself and his character as the son of a middle class family from a suburb of Chicago, whose priestly vocation and ecclesial vision were formed when he served in Latin America both as a seminarian and priest. He has remained grounded by his relationships with his family and friends, and his priestly vocation has been nourished by his connection to the poor and the immigrant, and his faith in Jesus.
That is why the 58-year-old archbishop that is so connected to people and their experiences can confidently quote the likes of Alicia Keys and Billy Joel during a solemn Mass. He comprehends that the sacred and divine beauty are not the exclusive domain of the sanctuary, but can be found in the streets, and indeed everywhere.
A Church that ‘goes out’ needs reference points beyond itself. That is why Archbishop Hicks asked his people to take up a missionary spirit.
Quoting Alicia Keys was akin to St. Patrick plucking a seemingly inane object out the ground (a shamrock) and using it to explain the triune God.
Archbishop Hicks is following this imaginative missionary tradition by trying to speak to people’s hearts in any way he can, suggesting that he wants the Church to go to the people rather than hoping that the people find their way to the Church.
Catholic Extension Society has known Archbishop Hicks for years, and he currently serves on our Board of Governors. His intelligence and spiritual depth are unquestionable.
We were not surprised by his words when he said the church is not a “country club.” He added,
We are called to be a missionary Church… that puts our faith into action.”
And later, he added, “Jesus rejected hatred and proclaimed love.”
In a city that is renowned for its collection of famous artists of all genres, Archbishop Hicks knows that the Church is at its best when it remains close to the beauty and inspiration of art. The frescoed walls of the Vatican are evidence of this.
Perhaps Archbishop Hicks will spend his years in New York bringing the beauty of art closer to the symbols and beliefs of the Church, so as to create new pathways for dialogue and understanding of God’s incarnated presence in our world.
Archbishop Hicks is seeking to help the Gospel come alive in people’s hearts. He asked his new archdiocese to “renew who we are and rediscover why we exist.”
And with assurance, he said, “I believe the world always has and will need a missionary church.”
Follow all of our coverage of the installation of Archbishop Ronald Hicks here!
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Photo in header image from REUTERS/Angelina Katsanis.
