Cardinal Dolan’s resignation: Letters to the Editor — Dec. 27, 2025

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, outgoing Archbishop of New York, attends Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, in New York City, U.S., December 18, 2025. REUTERS

The Issue: Cardinal Timothy Dolan resigning, with Illinois Bishop Ronald Hicks as his replacement.

As Bishop Ronald Hicks said, “As a church, we can never rest in our effort to protect the children and to care for the survivors (“Thank you, Cardinal Dolan,” Editorial, Dec. 19).”

I applaud Pope Leo XIV for his selection of Bishop Hicks to run the archdiocese of New York.

May God bless him in his problems ahead.

Frederick Bedell Jr.

Bellerose

Bishop Hicks, the new archbishop taking over for Timothy Cardinal Dolan, should fit in nicely with the new mayor’s views on immigration, which, in a nutshell, is to let all the immigrants come and pay them to be here with no concern for those working and providing taxes to fund it all.

If the Catholic Church’s income were being taxed to pay for the care of foreigners, then it might object.

Angela Lennox-Kay

Hackettstown, NJ

So now Pope Leo XIV replaces our wonderful Cardinal Dolan with a puppet.

No mystery here, just another Trump-hating figure who feels Americans should be on board with illegal immigration.

How rich: How about welcoming them all into Vatican City.

Cilla Miro

Somers

The recent tributes to Cardinal Dolan are well-intended, but also misleading in regards to his role as a leader in the Catholic Church.

He played a central role in how the Catholic Church responded to scandals over sexual abuse of minors at the hands of priests.

His actions were more about damage control than healing the souls of victims.

He was responsible for redirecting around $60 million into a church fund for cemeteries to shield assets that could’ve been used to pay victims of these pedophiles.

I understand the concept of forgiveness and its role in the Church, but at what point do we hold people accountable?

John Fleming

Punta Gorda, Fla.

The Issue: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appointing Lillian Bonsignore as the FDNY’s next commissioner.

Socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who’s never managed anything, has appointed Lillian Bonsignore, who was never a firefighter, as the FDNY commissioner (“FDNY vet tapped as commish,” Dec. 24).

On top of that, Mayor Adams, who spent much of his time traveling on taxpayers’ dime, rolled his eyes when asked if he would miss being mayor.

New York City politicians make New Jersey politicians seem reasonable.

Joe Nicoletti

Pompton Lakes, NJ

The icing is on the cake now with Mamdani’s appointment of an inexperienced FDNY commissioner, who knows nothing about firefighting.

My father served 28 years in the FDNY and was proud to serve under experienced, knowledgeable fire commissioners.

I’m sure my father, along with many other proud firefighters, are turning over in their graves when they see how the fire department is being destroyed.

Gene O’Brien

Whitestone

We shouldn’t be surprised at the comrades that Zohran has picked for his administration.

After all, don’t birds of a feather flock together?

Didn’t Adams pack his administration with his cronies?

That seems to be par for the course at City Hall.

Frank Brady

Yonkers

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.