Summary
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York is facing increasing scrutiny for his apparent indifference to Catholic communities, specifically for missing the installation Mass of Archbishop Ronald Hicks. The installation event took place on February 6 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, attended by 68 bishops, 13 archbishops, and six cardinals. Notably, Mamdani did not attend, although he congratulated Hicks on his appointment, stating they shared a commitment to dignity for every human being and looking forward to working together towards creating a just and compassionate city. Mamdani later explained that he had a scheduling conflict at the time of Archbishop Hicks’ installation ceremony. His explanation has not been sufficient to address Catholic outrage; no substantial reasons have been provided, nor did Mamdani seem aware that Hicks is not a cardinal. This made him the first mayor of New York in nearly a century who missed the installation of their city’s archbishop since Fiorello La Guardia’s attendance of Archbishop Francis Spellman’s installation in 1939. The absence has also been highlighted by other incidents where Mamdani did not invite Catholic clergy or representatives to important events, such as his inauguration and the annual interfaith breakfast. These actions have further fueled criticism from some within the community. The new archbishop, Ronald Hicks, brings significant experience in Catholic leadership; he previously served as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago and was appointed bishop for the Diocese of Joliet. Former Archbishop Timothy Dolan described Hicks’ appointment with gratitude, emphasizing his predecessor’s “extraordinarily impressive” qualities.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Archbishop Hicks, Mayor Mamdani
