Pope appoints UGCC bishop as cardinal

Bishop of UGCC Mykola Bychok. Photo: Korrespondent

On October 6, 2024, after the "Angelus" prayer, Pope Francis announced that a consistory will take place on December 8, during which new cardinals will be elevated. Among those chosen is Bishop Mykola Bychok of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Melbourne, Australia. This was reported by Vatican News.

It is noted that Mykola Bychok was born on February 13, 1980, in Ternopil. In 1997, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and was ordained a priest in 2005. He has served in Russia, Ukraine, and the USA. In January 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as the Bishop of Melbourne UGCC, and his episcopal ordination took place on July 12, 2021, in Lviv.

The head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, commented on this event: “Our Church rejoices because we will have another bishop who, besides being the Head of the Church, will be able to speak competently to the pope and stand up for our Church and the people of Ukraine.”

Out of the 21 new cardinals, 11 represent countries from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

As reported by the UOJ, the head of the UGCC believes that there is no need to pay attention to the pope's words regarding the UOC.

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