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NEW RELEASE
Release at will
FROM: MITERED ARCHPRIEST STEPHEN G. WASHKO
EPARCHIAL ADMINISTRATOR OF VAN NUYS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2002
Reverend William Skurla Named Third Bishop of Van Nuys Eparchy
Pope John Paul II has named Reverend William Skurla as Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys. He succeeds Most Reverend George M. Kuzma who retired in December of 2000.
Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment.
William Skurla was born in Duluth, Minnesota, June 1, 1956 where he attended Catholic and public elementary schools. He graduated from Chisholm Junior-Senior High in 1974, and did Post-Graduate work in Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts, graduating in 1975.
He attended Columbia University in New York City, graduating with a concentration in Philosophy in 1981. He studied at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania, receiving a Masters of Divinity in 1986 and a Masters of Theology in 1987.
He entered the Franciscan community in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania, was Solemnly Professed in 1985 and ordained to the priesthood in 1987. Following his ordination he served in many positions of responsibility, namely Vicar of Holy Dormitions Monastery in Sybertsville, Secretary of Custody, and Spiritual Assistant. Other responsibilities included his work in photography, computers and editing the community newsletter and the Eastern CatholicVocation Directory.
In 1996, having received and accepted his dispensation from solemn vows as a member of the order of Friars Minor, he was incardinated into the Eparchy of Van Nuys, where he had been serving for 3 years at St. Melany parish in Tucson.
He has continued in St. Melany Church until the present. He has served the Eparchy as the associate Editor of the Eparchial Newsletter, an Eparchial Consultor, member of the Deacon�s Review Board, and the Metropolitan Youth Commission.
He has been active as the Secretary of the Arizonaa Eastern Clergy Association, and member of Jeus Caritas priest association, as well as many other inter-church activities in Tucson.
Rt. Rev. Stephen G. Washko
St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral
8141 N. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
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Dear Administrator,
Many years, Vladyko!
May God bless and guide the new Hierarch through the prayers of the Mother of God and our Venerable and God-bearing Father, St.Francis of Assisi!
Alex
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Moderator
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WOW! Thank you Lord!!!!!  I am so excited! Apparently things are starting to happen in the Congregation for Oriental Churches in Rome. Maybe we will get a Metropolitan soon? Anthony P.S. Does anyone know the bishop-elect? What can you tell us about him. I am so happy. He's a younger guy, too!
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May the Holy Spirit strengthen His servant, the high priest William, to shepherd His Church. Many years!
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Wow, a Young'un!
Many Years!
And please send us a wise & holy Metropolitan soon!!!!
Sharon
Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com
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Our Church is truly blessed with a young energetic and hardworking leader in the appointmet of Father William Skurla as Bishop of Van Nuys. He will carry on in much the same way as Bishop George in that he is approachable, calm, thinks things out, and low keyed with a dry sense of humor. He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and pitch in to get a project done. These are my experiences of him from Tucson when I visited it there. I could not be more delighted in his appointment!
Many Years, Vladika!
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Many Blessed and Happy Years to the Eparchy of Van Nuys and the Byzantine Catholic Church in America. Congratulations on your new leader. May he image the Good Shepherd for us all.
Steve
JOY!
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May God grant Bishop Elect William many happy years!
I heard that if one is good in this life, God will send you to Arizona in the afterlife. Is this true?
Joe
[ 02-19-2002: Message edited by: J Thur ]
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Some one up there must really love us.
Yes, it seems that the Congregation of Eastern Churches is actually tending its flock with care.
I guess it`s because the prefect is actually part of an Eastern Church.
Daniil
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
Many years to Bishop-elect William!
And if I might speculate, I think the naming of the metropolitan will be soon as I would think Rome would want him to ordain and install his suffragans.
My cromulent posts embiggen this forum.
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Hi all,
Axios!!!!!! Well, he is MY PASTOR!! Hehehehehe, I got a call just a few minutes ago from one of the women from my parish who told me the news. I thought it was a prank call, I mean, I've been going to St. Melany's (about 6 miles from the University of Arizona, where yours truly is composing this message alone in his dorm) for only half a year and now he's the Bishop!! I will miss him at St. Melany's. I'm can't believe it! Yes, I can!
As someone who has known the Bishop Elect personally for 6 months now, let me assure you that the Eparchy of Phoenix (err, Van Nuys) is in good hands.
Hehehehehe
Yours in the Theotokos,
Darrenn
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To our new bishop,
God Grant Him Many Years In Peace Health and Happiness!
Stan & Rose
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Joe Thur: One need not wait for the afterlife to be sent by God to Arizona. You can experience the afterlife now. The real truth is that after having spent summers in Arizona the faithful go directly to the heavenly throne room and bypass the "purging fire"  Lance: the dates for the ordination are set for April 22 & 23. Vespers on April 22 and the consecration on April 23. I cannot speculate as to the naming of a metropolitan before then. My impression of the bishop-elect is the same as Stefanos. He is a very humble and approachable man. Please pray for him. John Montalvo
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Yo bisantino, Aren't you the guy from St. Stephen's studying for the diaconate? Can't wait 'till he is consecrated! Your impressions are right on target. Fr. William Skurla will make an excellent bishop. We down in Tucson have just two months before he goes all the way up to Phoenix. Tucson's loss will be the Eparchy's gain.  Yours in the Theotokos, Darrenn (un otro catolico bisantino)
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