One era in the annals of the New York Archdiocese ended Wednesday and another began when Timothy Michael Dolan was installed as archbishop.

Archbishop Dolan - who is eventually expected to be named a cardinal - succeeds New York Cardinal Edward Egan, who is retiring after nine years.

The Archdiocese of New York is the nation's second-largest diocese after Los Angeles, yet it is the most prominent seat in American Catholicism.

A St. Louis native and the oldest of five children, Dolan is known for putting a friendly face on Catholic orthodoxy. He holds a doctorate from The Catholic University of America and is former rector of the North American College in Rome, considered the West Point for U.S. priests.

At a news conference hours before his installation, Dolan said he would challenge efforts to legalize gay marriage in New York state. Gov. David Paterson is expected Thursday to introduce such a bill; gays and lesbians can already marry across the border in Connecticut, Massachusetts and, later this year, Vermont.

AP wire services were used in this report.