New York City’s progressive Mayor Zohran Mamdani shattered nearly a century of civic tradition by becoming the first mayor since 1939 to skip the installation ceremony of a new Catholic Archbishop, delivering a stunning snub to the city’s 2.5 million Catholics just weeks into his administration.

Breaking Decades of Mayoral Tradition

Mayor Zohran Mamdani made history for all the wrong reasons on February 9, 2026, when he chose not to attend Archbishop Ronald Hicks’ installation Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Every New York City mayor since Fiorello LaGuardia in 1939 had attended such ceremonies, viewing attendance as a civic duty that transcended personal religious beliefs. The tradition represented respect for the Archdiocese of New York, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, ministering to 2.5 million Catholics. Mamdani’s absence marked a deliberate break from this longstanding practice, occurring just over a month into his progressive administration.

Scheduling Conflicts Fail to Justify the Snub

Mamdani hosted an Interfaith Breakfast at the New York Public Library the same morning as the installation ceremony, quoting scripture but conspicuously omitting any mention of Archbishop Hicks’ historic occasion. No Catholic clergy spoke during the main program of his breakfast event. The mayor then attended a weather press conference rather than walking the short distance to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the installation Mass. Critics noted that Mamdani had been personally invited and had ample time to attend given the venue’s proximity to his morning event. This timing raised questions about whether the absence reflected poor planning or deliberate avoidance of the Catholic ceremony.

Catholic Community Responds with Outrage

The Catholic League’s Bill Donohue condemned Mamdani’s decision as “wrong and rude,” characterizing it as the mayor’s third instance of disrespecting Catholics. Former mayoral aides from previous administrations joined the criticism. Bill Cunningham, who served under Mayor Bloomberg, called it a “missed opportunity to serve all segments” of New York’s diverse population. Ken Frydman, a former Giuliani spokesman, accused Mamdani of showing disdain for Catholics. The Daily News editorial board echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the rudeness of ignoring such a significant religious and civic milestone. This backlash threatens to erode the mayor’s early goodwill and signals potential strain in Church-city relations on issues like education and housing.

Archbishop Hicks Seeks Collaboration Despite Slight

Archbishop Ronald Hicks, the 58-year-old Chicago native who became New York’s 11th Archbishop, maintained an optimistic tone despite the mayor’s absence. In statements before and after the ceremony, Hicks emphasized his desire to work with government officials “for the common good,” even acknowledging potential disagreements on various issues. The new Archbishop focuses on building a missionary church and fostering partnerships across sectors. However, the Archdiocese confirmed that Mamdani had no contact with Hicks before or immediately after the installation, though they anticipated a meeting “very soon.” This lack of outreach contradicts Mamdani’s social media claims of shared commitment to collaboration and human dignity.

Political Implications for Progressive Mayor

Mamdani’s decision carries significant political risk in a city where Catholics represent a substantial voting bloc, particularly among Italian and Irish communities in key boroughs. When confronted by reporters on February 10, the mayor dismissed the criticism, stating he looked forward to meeting with Archbishop Hicks and valued faith leaders during crises. Yet this response rings hollow given his failure to prioritize the ceremony itself. The incident highlights tensions between progressive political agendas and respect for traditional religious institutions. Conservative observers note this pattern fits a broader leftist tendency to marginalize faith communities that don’t align with woke ideology, raising concerns about whether religious freedom and traditional values will receive equal consideration under Mamdani’s administration.

Mayor Mamdani Becomes First NYC Leader to Skip Archbishop Installation in Almost a Century
https://t.co/921u3V7iWZ

— Townhall Updates (@TownhallUpdates) February 10, 2026

The long-term implications remain uncertain, but this early controversy tests whether Mayor Mamdani can balance his progressive agenda with the inclusive governance New York requires. His absence from such a historically significant ceremony sends a troubling message about priorities and respect for communities that form the fabric of the city. For Catholics watching their new leader ignore their spiritual shepherd’s installation, actions speak louder than tweets. Whether Mamdani can repair this relationship or whether this signals deeper conflicts ahead will shape his administration’s success in governing America’s most diverse metropolis.

Sources:

NYC Mayor Skips Ceremony for New Catholic Archbishop

Despite Missing Historic Mass, Mayor Mamdani Promises Partnership with New Archbishop Hicks

Mayor Mamdani Archbishop Hicks Meeting No-Show

Mamdani Stiffs Catholics For Third Time

Mayor Mamdani Quotes Scripture at Interfaith Breakfast