Thanks to such predecessors as Cardinals Timothy Dolan, Edward Egan and John O\u2019Connor, I am inheriting a local church that already puts faith into action in powerful ways. The Archdiocese of New York has a long history of service, education and outreach to those on the margins. At my installation Mass, one of the strongest moments of applause came when I spoke about working with all people of goodwill for the common good. I mentioned that we won\u2019t agree on everything. That is part of honest civic life. But there is much we can do together to serve the vulnerable and strengthen our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more than 30 years, I have loved being a priest. There have been challenges and moments of suffering, as in any vocation, but I remain grateful for the call. I want people to understand our Catholic faith and why the church teaches what she teaches. I want them to know Jesus personally\u2014to know he is real and to encounter him as a friend who loves them and walks with them in every season of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church doesn\u2019t exist as a club that serves its own members. It exists for the mission. We are called to be missionary disciples who go out and make disciples. When we truly know Christ, faith naturally moves outward. It takes shape in service, compassion and engagement with the world around us. My hope is to help Catholics in New York deepen their relationship with Jesus and then live that relationship in concrete action for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> I am inheriting a local church that already puts faith into action in powerful ways. The Archdiocese of New York has a long history of service, education and outreach to those on the margins, writes Ronald Hickshttps:\/\/t.co\/n3hWYZk4WY<\/a><\/p>— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) February 27, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>