Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis appointed for the Stryj Eparchy

Saturday, 23 January 2010 14:43

Lviv - On January 20, 2010, the Vatican informed that:

•  The Holy Father Benedict XVI accepted the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to proclaim the Stryj Eparchy “hindered.” The decision was accepted according to the canon 233 § 1 CCEO, on the basis of the state of health of Reverend Bishop Julian (Gbur);

• The Holy Father, accepting the proposition of the same synod, named Reverend Bishop Taras (Sen'kiv), titular bishop of Sichena, and until now the auxiliary bishop of the Stryj Eparchy, by the Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis (at the disposition of the Holy See).

To better understand the report of the Apostolic Capital we include an explanation. The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, which took place in Lviv-Bryukhovychi on November 29 to December 5, 2009, decided to appeal to the Pope of Rome with a request to proclaim the Stryj Eparchy “hindered” considering the state of health of the Administrative Bishop Rev. Bishop Julian (Gbur). The synod offered Rev. Bishop Taras (Sen'kiv), auxiliary bishop, to accept the administration of this eparchy, which was confirmed by the Holy Father, and he was named the Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis. This appointment becomes legal on the date of the proclamation – January 20, 2010 – and means that the control of the administration of the Stryj Eparchy was transferred to the apostolic administrator. Reverend Bishop Julian (Gbur) preserves only the title of eparch of the Stryj Eparchy.

Bishop Julian, who in December of this year turned 68, led the Stryj Eparchy of the UGCC from the moment of its creation by the Synod of Bishops in 2000, reports radio “Vatican.” He was engaged in the creation of organizational structures and the development of pastoral activity. On May 22, 2008, it was informed that Bishop Taras (Sen'kiv) was elected auxiliary bishop of this eparchy. On July 20 of this year he obtained the hierarchical ordination.

The Stryj Eparchy is located in the western part of the Lviv region, and includes five administrative districts. Pastoral activity is carried out in over 330 parishes, divided into 16 deaneries.

Information Department of the UGCC