Archdiocese of New York


Stored: Archdiocese of New York


Diocese: Archdiocese of New York
Status: Active
Rite: Latin
Type: Archdiocese
Ecclesiastical Province: Province of New York
Suffragan Dioceses: Diocese of Albany, Diocese of Brooklyn, Diocese of Buffalo, Diocese of Ogdensburg, Diocese of Rochester, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Diocese of Syracuse
Metropolitan Archdiocese:
Country: United States
Region: New York
Bishop: Ronald Aldon Hicks
Website: https://archny.org/
Newspaper: https://www.thegoodnewsroom.org/
Catholic Percentage: 45.0%
Catholic Elementary Schools: 148
Catholic High Schools:
Deaneries:
Priests: 1251
Existence: 1808–
Predecessor Diocese:
Successor Diocese:
Catholic Hospitals:
Rating: 3.0

The Archdiocese of New York, a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite, is an active archdiocese encompassing Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in New York City, as well as seven counties north of the city in the United States. Erected as a diocese in 1808 by Pope Pius VII and elevated to an archdiocese in 1850, it is currently led by Archbishop Ronald Aldon Hicks as of 2025. As the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of New York, it oversees several suffragan dioceses and serves approximately 2.8 million registered Catholics. A notable aspect is its historic role in welcoming waves of Catholic immigrants, symbolized by the iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral, a global landmark of faith.

Establishment

The Diocese of New York was erected on 8 April 1808 by Pope Pius VII, separating territory from the Diocese of Baltimore.[1] It was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese on 19 July 1850.

History

Originally covering all of New York State and part of New Jersey, the territory was reduced over time with the erection of suffragan sees such as Brooklyn (1853) and Albany.[2] The archdiocese played a central role in serving immigrant Catholic communities in the 19th and 20th centuries. In 2024, it participated in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, hosting segments of the route through its territory.

Geography

The archdiocese covers 10 counties (or equivalent boroughs):

  • Bronx
  • Dutchess
  • Manhattan
  • Orange
  • Putnam
  • Rockland
  • Staten Island
  • Sullivan
  • Ulster
  • Westchester

It forms the Ecclesiastical Province of New York.[3]

Mother Church

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece dedicated in 1879 and designated a basilica, serves as the archdiocese’s mother church.[4]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Ronald Aldon Hicks has served as archbishop since his appointment in 2025. Previously bishop of Joliet, he emphasizes unity and pastoral care.[5]

Auxiliary Bishops

The archdiocese has several auxiliary bishops, including John Samuel Bonnici, Peter John Byrne, Gerardo Joseph Colacicco, Joseph Armando Espaillat, and Edmund James Whalen.[6]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Richard Luke Concanen, O.P. 1808–1810 First bishop; died before arriving.
John Connolly, O.P. 1814–1825
John Dubois 1826–1842
John Hughes 1842–1864 First archbishop (1850).
John McCloskey 1864–1885 First American cardinal.
Michael Corrigan 1885–1902
John Farley 1902–1918 Cardinal.
Patrick Hayes 1919–1938 Cardinal.
Francis Spellman 1939–1967 Cardinal.
Terence Cooke 1968–1983 Cardinal.
John O'Connor 1984–2000 Cardinal.
Edward Egan 2000–2009 Cardinal.
Timothy Dolan 2009–2025 Cardinal; retired.

[7]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The archdiocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating: 3.0), with standard Novus Ordo liturgies predominant and limited availability of the Traditional Latin Mass in select locations, reflecting mainstream pastoral priorities.[8]

Statistics

The archdiocese covers 4,716 square miles (12,212 km²), serves approximately 2,819,000 registered Catholics across 287 parishes, with a total population of about 6,265,000.[9]

Religious Communities

Numerous religious orders are active, supporting education, healthcare, and parish ministries; detailed information is available through the archdiocesan directory.[10]

Parishes

Archdiocese of New York
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
_pageName City MailingAddress
St. Ambrose Church (Archdiocese of New York) New York, NY 539 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
St. Francis Xavier Church (Archdiocese of New York) New York, NY 55 West 15th Street, New York, NY
St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Archdiocese of New York) New York, NY 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022

The Archdiocese of New York operates nearly 300 parishes serving diverse urban and suburban communities.[11]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The archdiocese oversees a large network of Catholic schools serving tens of thousands of students.[12]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities and related programs provide extensive social services across the territory.[13]

Notable Events or Figures

The archdiocese hosted segments of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in 2024, contributing to the broader revival effort.[14] It has been led by several cardinals who influenced American Catholicism.

Dynamic Content

Associated Saints

Template:Saints associated with diocese

References

External Links