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List of Roman Catholic archbishops of New York facts for kids

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A bespectacled man wearing liturgical vestments and a chain around his neck attached to a pectoral cross that is not visible in photograph facing right
Timothy M. Dolan, the Archbishop of New York since 2009
Shield topped by a mitre, featuring a silver field divided per red saltire, four red crosses within the four quarters, and a silver wind mill on the saltire
Coat of arms
Information
Denomination Catholic Church
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Established
  • 1808 (bishopric)
  • 1850 (archbishopric)
Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral

The Archbishop of New York is the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, who is responsible for looking after its spiritual and administrative needs. As the archdiocese is the metropolitan see of the ecclesiastical province encompassing nearly all of the state of New York, the Archbishop of New York also administers the bishops who head the suffragan dioceses of Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre and Syracuse. The current archbishop is Timothy M. Dolan.

The archdiocese began as the Diocese of New York, which was created on April 8, 1808. R. Luke Concanen was appointed its first bishop; however, he was unable to leave the Italian Peninsula due to the Napoleonic Wars and died before he could set out for New York. Under the reign of his successor, John Connolly, a canonical visitation of the diocese was conducted. On account of the population increase due largely to Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Germany, the Holy See decided to elevate the diocese to the status of archdiocese on July 19, 1850. John Hughes became the first archbishop of the newly-formed metropolitan see. Because of the prominence of the position and the challenges that accompany it, Pope John Paul II described the office as "archbishop of the capital of the world."

Ten men have been Archbishop of New York; another three were bishop of its predecessor diocese. Of these, only one (John Dubois) was neither born in Ireland nor was second-generation Irish. Eight archbishops were elevated to the College of Cardinals. John McCloskey, the fifth ordinary of the archdiocese, was the first archbishop to be born in the United States, as well as the first born in what is now New York City. When he was raised to cardinal in 1875, he became the first cardinal from America. Francis Spellman had the longest tenure as Archbishop of New York, serving for 28 years from 1939 to 1967, while Concanen held the position for 26 months (1808–1810), marking the shortest episcopacy.

List of ordinaries

Bishop Richard Luke Concanen
R. Luke Concanen was the first Bishop of New York, but died before he could set foot in the Diocese.
John Hughes archbishop - Brady-Handy
John Hughes was the last Bishop of New York and its first archbishop.
John Cardinal McCloskey - Brady-Handy
John McCloskey became the first American cardinal in 1875.
Key
Cardinal Denotes archbishop who was elevated to the College of Cardinals
OP Dominican Order
PSS Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice

Bishops of New York

Bishops
From Until Incumbent Notes
1808 1810 Concanen, R. LukeR. Luke Concanen, OP Appointed on April 8, 1808. Died on June 19, 1810, having never visited the Diocese.
1814 1825 Connolly, JohnJohn Connolly, OP Appointed on October 4, 1814. Arrived in New York on November 24, 1815. Died on February 6, 1825.
1826 1842 Dubois, JohnJohn Dubois, PSS Appointed on May 23, 1826. Died on December 20, 1842.
1842 1850 Hughes, JohnJohn Hughes Coadjutor bishop from 1837 to 1842

Archbishops of New York

Archbishops
From Until Incumbent Notes
1850 1864 Hughes, JohnJohn Hughes Became the first Archbishop of New York on July 19, 1850. Died on January 3, 1864.
1864 1885 McCloskey, JohnJohn McCloskeydouble-dagger Coadjutor archbishop from 1843 to 1847. Translated to Albany on May 21, 1847. Appointed on May 6, 1864. First archbishop to be born in the United States and in New York City. Elevated to cardinal on March 15, 1875. Died on October 10, 1885.
1885 1902 Corrigan, MichaelMichael Corrigan Coadjutor archbishop from 1880 to 1885. Died on May 5, 1902.
1902 1918 Farley, John MurphyJohn Murphy Farleydouble-dagger Auxiliary bishop from 1895 to 1902. Elevated to cardinal on November 27, 1911. Died on September 17, 1918.
1919 1938 Hayes, Patrick JosephPatrick Joseph Hayesdouble-dagger Auxiliary bishop from 1914 to 1917. Elevated to cardinal on March 24, 1924. Died on September 4, 1938.
1939 1967 Spellman, FrancisFrancis Spellmandouble-dagger Appointed on April 15, 1939. Elevated to cardinal on February 18, 1946. Died on December 2, 1967.
1968 1983 Cooke, TerenceTerence Cookedouble-dagger Auxiliary bishop from 1965 to 1968. Elevated to cardinal on April 28, 1969. Died on October 6, 1983.
1984 2000 O'Connor, JohnJohn O'Connordouble-dagger Appointed on January 26, 1984. Elevated to cardinal on May 25, 1985. Died on May 3, 2000.
2000 2009 Egan, EdwardEdward Egandouble-dagger Auxiliary bishop from 1985 to 1988. Elevated to cardinal on February 21, 2001. Retired on February 23, 2009, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75. Died on March 5, 2015.
2009 present Dolan, Timothy M.Timothy M. Dolandouble-dagger Appointed on February 23, 2009. Elevated to cardinal on February 18, 2012.
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