Incoming New York archbishop Ronald Hicks will focus on evangelizing and reengagement

by Bruce Shipkowski - Associated Press February 5, 202

Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks talks to reporters during a news conference at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The incoming archbishop of New York said Thursday that he plans to emphasize the importance of evangelizing as he takes charge of one of the biggest U.S. archdioceses.

“How do we be actually be disciples, who do we make disciples?” Ronald Hicks said during a news conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where his installation ceremony will be held Friday. “People who have been a part of the church but maybe not so much — How do we reengage? How do we pass the faith on to the next generation? How do we be a church that is thriving and relevant?”

ICE Wants You!

The Trump administration’s propaganda posters

Paul Moses

February 5, 2026

Politics

Donald Trump

Immigration

Please email comments to letters@commonwealmagazine.org.

Posters shared by the Trump Labor Department promoting ‘Project Firewall’ (Collage courtesy of Geoff Bowser)

Federal agencies are posting what clearly deserves to be labeled propaganda on X.com, sugar-coating President Donald Trump’s efforts to privilege white males and demonize immigrants with a glaze of traditional American imagery.

Exhibit A: The U.S. Department of Labor’s posts touting “Project Firewall,” a program to tighten enforcement on the H-1B program that grants visas to skilled workers from overseas.  The images mimic, and in some instances copy, nostalgic World War II–era posters. 

Yakima Bishop Joseph Tyson: Not all can be martyrs like Pretti and Good. But we can be witnesses.

 

• 

  Joseph J. Tyson
•  

  Religion News Service  NCR

Yakima Bishop Joseph Tyson: Not all can be martyrs like Pretti and Good. But we can be witnesses.

Guest Voices

Ray Mouton, strong-willed attorney who warned US bishops about clergy abuse, dies at 78

 

News

Ray Mouton, strong-willed attorney who warned US bishops about clergy abuse, dies at 78

Ryan Di Corpo  NCR

Catholic immigrant advocates call for humane approach as report finds child ICE detentions up 600%

 

February 6, 2026

Catholic immigrant advocates call for humane approach as report finds child ICE detentions up 600%

Simone Orendain, OSV News  NCR

Pope Leo XIV: Understanding Scripture’s divine Author—and human authors

 

Speeches

Pope Leo XIV: Understanding Scripture’s divine Author—and human authors

by Pope Leo XIV

Faith in Focus

I’m allergic to ‘self-care.’ But would Jesus be?

by Valerie Schultz February 4, 202

Credit: Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

My husband and daughters enjoy a little ritual when they manage to be together: They get their nails done. Manis, pedis, foot massages, whatever they want, and our daughters can fully relax because their dad pays the bill. I’m glad my husband does this with them because I am not a fan of manicures. Or pedicures. Or massages. Or really anything that involves a stranger touching me.

At least that is what I tell them when they set off for their appointments without me. But one of my daughters challenged my excuse, asking me: If I say I don’t like strangers touching me, why don’t I have a problem with more invasive physical interactions like medical exams? 

She made me think. Kids are good at that.

The whole church should embrace Cardinal Fernández's call for humility

 

NCR Voices

Opinion

The whole church should embrace Cardinal Fernández's call for humility

Daniel P. Horan  ncr