At his set up, Unusual York Archbishop Hicks commits to missionary church

NEW YORK (RNS) — Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks started his first homily as the chief of about 2.5 million Unusual York Catholics by talking Spanish, quoting from a hymn practically every Mass-going Latino is aware of.

“Lord, steal my existence,” he started in Spanish, imperfectly quoting from “Alma Misionera,” or “Missionary Soul.” He persisted, “I’m willing to cease whatever you’ll need to delight in, it’s now now not relevant what it is, you lead me to merit.”

On Friday (Feb. 6), Cardinal Timothy Dolan formally stepped down after higher than 16 years main the Archdiocese of Unusual York as Hicks grew to develop into his successor. Hicks most honest honest currently served as bishop of Joliet, Illinois, and previously led an orphanage in El Salvador, became a Chicago priest and served as a seminary formation director. At age 58, he presumably can delight in practically twenty years to lead the influential diocese ahead of he is expected to post his resignation at 75.

At his set up Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Hicks made two issues crystal obvious: that he seeks to lead a church that can, at its heart, be missionary, and that Latinos will now now not remain on the peripheries of his ministry.

He did now now not assign the latter dedication by addressing Latinos instantly or their frequent fears of ethnically focused immigration enforcement for the length of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. But Spanish became segment of the bilingual liturgy and in general spoken first — esteem within the predominant studying from Galatians by lector Samuel Jimenez Coreas, who once lived within the El Salvador orphanage Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, or “Our Runt Siblings,” that Hicks led.

He additionally quoted Unsightly Bunny, the singer and rapper whose appearance at Sunday’s Lovely Bowl has drawn blowback from conservatives who accuse the Puerto Rican of being un-American. The reference to “NUEVAYoL” came alongside lyrics from Billy Joel’s “Unusual York Issue of Mind,” Jay-Z’s “Empire Issue of Mind,” and Frank Sinatra’s “Unusual York, Unusual York.” However the Unsightly Bunny quote drew some of potentially the most raucous applause.

Maria Galvez, a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for twenty years, said tears started to effectively up in her eyes for the length of Hicks’ homily.

“It’s emotional,” said Galvez, who’s on the origin from El Salvador. “I believe very contented that we delight in a bishop that speaks Spanish, and I believe that he’s very precise, that he comes to be right here with stout happiness.”

Others additionally appeared touched by Hicks’ fluency in Spanish, as the congregation audibly giggled and cheered when he spoke. 

The theme of a missionary church became the cornerstone of Hicks’ homily. 

“This is a call to be a missionary church, now now not a country membership,” he said. “A membership exists to merit its people. The church exists, on the different hand, to slouch out and merit all of us — on hearth, with faith, with hope and charity within the title of Jesus Christ.”

The archbishop said, “We exist to follow Jesus, who fed the hungry, healed those ill in body and spirit, rejected hatred and proclaimed like.”

Hicks clarified that his call became now now not “a criticism,” an acknowledgement that there became some debate within the Catholic Church, in particular within the U.S., about whether to defend the church by doubling down on orthodoxy in a secularizing world or to slouch out and engage with that world. However the novel Unusual York archbishop made obvious that he stands with Pope Francis — and his successor Pope Leo XIV — on that matter by quoting Francis’ renowned ad-lib, “todos, todos, todos,” signaling a dedication to embody “everybody” within the church. 

The Rev. Chris Argano, pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Washingtonville, Unusual York, said he hopes the novel archbishop feels welcome as he takes on the challenges of a novel metropolis. 

“It’s extra and extra extra tough to bag the message of the Gospel available,” Argano said. “But in his homily today, he made it very obvious that we are a missionary church who evangelize to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the streets.” 

Another nod to Francis became Hicks’ parting inquire of that those in attendance pray for him, echoing the late pope’s repeated inquire of he first made on the balcony after his election to the papacy.

“I’m going to be praying for all of you with stout, stout gratitude,” Hicks added, referring to his prayer in Eucharistic adoration. 

Earlier for the length of the homily, his utter thick with emotion, he thanked Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S., “for reminding me to valid be myself”; Cardinal Blase Cupich, his old weird and wonderful within the Archdiocese of Chicago, “on your example and your mentorship”; Dolan, his predecessor, “on your gracious enhance of me, both in my idea and publicly”; those from Chicagoland “for being disciples who delight in disciples”; and his other folks, “for repeatedly showing me what unconditional like appears to be like esteem.”

Dolan was 76 the day of the set up Mass, and Pierre led attendees in singing him “Exclusively chuffed Birthday” ahead of origin the formal set up.

“Cardinal Timothy Dolan has served this archdiocese with generosity, conviction and private zeal,” said Pierre, who’s additionally expected to retire because he valid was 80, the age at which cardinals can now now now not partake in a conclave. “His utter has been a true and contented rep out about to the Gospel, both right here in Unusual York and much beyond it.”

Dolan, a towering resolve within the U.S. church, is famous by Catholics for the length of the country for his media appearances. Even though he has criticized anti-immigrant policies, he became appointed to Trump’s Spiritual Liberty Price and became perceived to be shut with some Republican politicians. After Francis’ death, Trump lobbied for Dolan to develop into pope.

Sister Mary Josita, of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, said the “transfer of leadership” is bittersweet. She said she felt strongly supported by Dolan for the length of her work within the Bronx. 

“On several events, he checked in on us for the length of COVID, calling us in my idea,” the sister said. “He even came to celebrate Mass with us.” Restful, she said she is hopeful about Hicks and liked his repeated references to his like of song. “The truth that he repeatedly has a song in his head brings joy to my heart,” she said.