Ukrainian Catholic Church Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR has been enthroned as the third Eparch for Ukrainians in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, in a traditional Eastern Rite service in Melbourne.
The Bishop’s enthronement took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul on Sunday 11 July 2021.
As part of the historic ceremony, Bishop Mykola proclaimed the Confession of Faith to the Catholic Church on a 130-year-old Gospel published by the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
Bishop Mykola Bychok is a 41-year-old Ukraine born member of the Redemptorist Congregation who served in Ukraine, Siberia, and the United States.
Ukrainian Catholic Church Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR has been enthroned as the third Eparch for Ukrainians in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, in a traditional Eastern Rite service in Melbourne. Photo: Caras Moravski.
The Rite of Enthronement is a significant event for the Ukrainian Catholic Church as its strong symbol of the continuity of the Church after 70 years of Ukrainian settlement in Australia.
The ceremony was full of Eastern Rite traditions. It was also an opportunity to highlight that the Universal Catholic Church has two lungs – Eastern and Western spirituality coming together.
Those traditions were brought together by those representing the various Rites through prayer and traditions.
Bishop Mykola said it was “a great honour and challenge to be the third bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania”.
“I look forward to being the good shepherd of our flock and working in partnership with our parishes and community for many years to come.”
Bishop Mykola succeeds Bishop Peter Stasiuk CSsR.
