Leo XIV Will Name Cupich’s Protégé as Archbishop of New York
The rumour was spread by the Spanish-language outlet ReligionDigital.org on December 15 and confirmed by several journalists citing “independent sources.” The appointed is expected for December 18.
Liberal journalist Christopher Hale was told: “This is a Chicago priest, advocated by Cardinal Cupich, appointed by a Chicago pope.” Hale describes Bishop Hicks as “more progressive than Cardinal Dolan.”
Spiritual hero is Óscar Romero
When he began as Bishop of Joliet in 2020, he wore a small photo of Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador on the lapel of his jacket. Romero is a hero of politicized liberation theology.
Monsignor Hicks had served as a missionary in El Salvador (2005-2010).
Ally of Cardinal Blase Cupich
Monsignor Hicks’s relationship with the pro-homosexual Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich is both structural and personal. He was ordained a priest for Chicago in 1994, appointed Vicar General of Chicago by Cupich in 2015, and consecrated an auxiliary bishop by Cupich in 2018.
He was widely regarded as one of Cardinal Cupich’s most trusted administrators.
Communion for Pro-Abortion Politicians
In 2021, Monsignor Hicks was among 68 anti-life U.S. bishops who signed a letter urging the bishops’ conference to drop or delay discussion of barring pro-abortion politicians from receiving Holy Communion.
The letter aligned with Cardinal Cupich’s worldview.
Against Protecting Minors from Trans-Surgeries
In 2024, Bishop Hicks joined other Illinois bishops in forbidding parishes from promoting a petition tied to a state ballot advisory question requiring parental consent for abortions for minors and sterilizations/castrations (“sex changes”).
The bishops claimed that parish facilities and communications should not be used to advance partisan political activity.
Pronouns Controversy in Joliet
In a 2021 controversy, a student at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Joliet requested to be addressed using preferred pronouns not corresponding to his sex.
The Diocese of Joliet declined, explaining through a spokesperson that “preferred pronouns do not conform with Catholic social teaching.”
Support for Catholic Homosexual Apostolate
In 2024, Bishop Hicks supported 'Courage International' by participating in and concelebrating the Eucharist at a Courage conference.
He offered prayers and encouragement for those involved in the apostolate. It helps Catholics with homosexual temptations to live chastely.
Supportive of Roman rite
Firsthand testimony within the Diocese of Joliet adds that Monsignor Hicks has been kind to the Mass in the Roman rite, both those of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter and diocesan Masses. 'Traditionis Custodes' was barely implemented in the diocese.
Bishop Hicks spoke with all priests celebrating the Roman rite and issued a decree in 2022 permitting the continued use of the 1962 Missal.
Below is a video of Monsignor Hicks offering full praise of his mentor, Cardinal Cupich.
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