New York's Cardinal Dolan to resign as Illinois bishop to possibly lead NY Archdiocese: reports

"Cardinal Timothy Dolan is expected to soon depart his post as Archbishop of New York, per multiple reports this week. Pope Leo XIV is reportedly expected to accept Dolan's resignation this week. Cardinal Dolan, who reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops of 75, submitted his letter of resignation in February to Pope Francis. Under Catholic doctrine, the pontiff has the option to either accept a bishop's resignation or refuse it, allowing the bishop to continue his ministries for another five years."

"The New York Post reported that the Holy Father is considering naming Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, IL, in suburban Chicago, to replace Dolan. Rob Astorino, a former Westchester County executive who launched The Catholic Channel on Sirius satellite radio, posted on Dec. 15 about the pending change. Strong rumors that @Pontifex has accepted the resignation of @CardinalDolan and will appoint Bishop Ron Hicks of Joliet, IL, he wrote."

"The reports follow the Archdiocese's announcement last week that it would be selling one of its prime real estate properties on Madison Avenue for nearly $500 million to help settle ongoing child sex abuse claims against churches. Earlier this month, the New York Archdiocese said it will use money from other real estate sales and make other budget reductions to set up a $300 million fund to pay for a settlement with 1,300 people who accused its priests"

Cardinal Timothy Dolan reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 and submitted his resignation in February to Pope Francis. Pope Francis did not act on the resignation before his death in April. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, appears poised to accept Dolan's resignation imminently. The Holy Father is considering Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as a potential replacement. The New York Archdiocese plans to sell a Madison Avenue property for nearly $500 million and establish a $300 million fund to settle claims from about 1,300 people who accused priests.

Read at www.amny.com