www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News New Ukrainian Greek-Catholic bishop

The UGCC has been enriched with one more hierarch
21:15 09.04.09 21:15 <- Back to: News/ Press Releases

On Tuesday April 7, 2009, the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God, in the Cathedral of Saint George in Lviv, the episcopal ordination of Reverend Bishop Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), auxiliary bishop of the Eparchy of the Protection of Holy Mary in Buenos Aires, took place. The decision about the appointment of Father Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Ph.D., rector of Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv, as auxiliary bishop of the eparchy of the UGCC in Argentina, granting him the titular see of Castra Galbae, was promulgated simultaneously in the Vatican and Ukraine on January 14, 2009.

The ceremony of episcopal ordination began the day before, on April 6, with the episcopal nomination. The next day the ordination took place in a church filled to the top. For this purpose His Beatitude Lubomyr, Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Archbishop Ivan Jurkowic, Apostolic Nuncio in Georgia Archbishop Claudio Guggerotti, 18 bishops of the UGCC from Ukraine and abroad, bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, and priests and laity came to Lviv. Participating in the joint prayer were regional and city public authorities. The Liturgy, which was led by the Most Reverend Archbishop Ihor (Voznyak) of Lviv, began at 11.00. At the beginning bishop-elect Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), according to the ceremony, professed his faith in the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and other truths which are taught by the Church. Afterwards, after the minor entrance, began the ordination of Bishop Sviatoslav. The main ordaining bishop was Archbishop Ihor, assisted by Bishop Miguel (Mykytsej), Eparch of the Eparchy of the Protection of Holy Mary in Buenos Aires, and Bishop Yuliyan (Voronovskyj), Eparch of Sambir-Drohobych. A stately "Axios" began to sound in the church (from Greek meaning “worthy”).

In his sermon the Head of the UGCC, who was present at the Liturgy, referring to the feast of the Annunciation of Holy Mary talked about the laborious process of choosing a new bishop and an important point of this matter: the consent of the one selected. According to the preacher, this is similar to the day of the Annunciation to the Holy Lady by the archangel Gabriel, who informed the Mother of God about the conception and birth of the Son of God. "Then all the heavenly forces waited for her agreement. It was presumably similar for the faithful our Church in Argentina when I asked Fr. Sviatoslav about his consent to accept the decision of our Synod, waiting for his answer. And Fr. Sviatoslav said to me that, if such is the will of God, he accepts it gladly." So His Beatitude Lubomyr said in his sermon.

At the completion of the Liturgy Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic read the letter of benediction from His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope of Rome (see addition). Then with a word of gratitude Bishop Sviatoslav came forward. He, realizing the great responsibility for realizing the task set on him, asked those present for prayerful support. After the Liturgy newly-ordained Bishop Sviatoslav gave to all present his first episcopal blessing.

Information Department of the UGCC

BENEDICT, BISHOP, SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD

To my beloved son Sviatoslav Shevchuk, priest of the Lviv Archeparchy of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, until now the governing rector of Lviv seminary, nominated the auxiliary bishop of the Eparchy of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God for Ukrainians of the Byzantine rite in Buenos Aires, and at the same time appointed titular bishop of Castra Galbae, is sent my greeting and apostolic benediction. Our dear brother Miguel Mykytsej, SDB, first hierarch of the Eparchy of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God for Ukrainians of the Byzantine rite in Buenos Aires, considering his venerable age and the scale of the territory of the mentioned eparchy, asked that an auxiliary bishop be appointed for him.

Considering this affair with the prudence proper to the See of Saint Peter the Apostle and caring for the good of the whole public faithful of the Lord’s flock, comprehending the opinions of our Dear Brother the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation in the Matters of the Oriental Churches, we considered it appropriate to respond favorably to the request presented by him.

Therefore considering this, that you, beloved son, possess prominent gifts, are acknowledged a scholar of sacred studies, we consider you suitable for the implementation of the obligations of this government and with high apostolic authority we appoint you the auxiliary bishop of the mentioned eparchy, simultaneously with it giving you the title of bishop of Castra Galbae and providing you with all those rights and privileges of the episcopal dignity which belong to this government.

Regarding the matter of your episcopal ordination, confession of faith and taking a vow of obedience to us and our successors, it is necessary to maintain the regulations of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

Act worthily, beloved son, being in brotherly communication with the careful pastor of the eparchial throne of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God for Ukrainians of the Byzantine rite in Buenos Aires and zealously fulfilling the ministry entrusted to you, inspiring all; first of all, always have God before your eyes, devoutly taking care that constantly He be a lamp before your feet and a light on your paths. (Ps. 119, 105)

May the grace of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary always fill you with gladness and strengthen you.



Issued in Rome, at the Basilica of Saint Peter, the sixteenth day of the month of January, Anno Domino two thousand nine, in the fourth year of Our Pontificate.


Benedict XVI

The canonical election by the UGCC's Holy Synod of Fr. Yosyf Milan as auxiliary bishop within her canonical territory does not need the Pope's approval.

The Pope "merely" gives his assent to the canonical election.

CCEO Canon 181

1. Bishops inside the territorial boundaries of the patriarchal Church are nominated to a vacant see or to fulfill another function by canonical election according to the norms of canons 947-957, unless otherwise provided in common law.

2. Other bishops* are appointed by the Roman Pontiff without prejudice to canons. 149 and 168.

Not so.


*(asterisk mine) those outside the territorial bounds

The provisions of the CCEO relevant to patriarchal churches apply also, in this (and most other cases) to major-archepiscopal churches. Canons 947-957 provide for the methods of election.

Sorry for being dense, but can you point out exactly what part of my statement you were commenting "not so" on, and how your citation of Canon 181 corrects what I stated?

anyone newly ordained a bishop, Latin or non-Latin, within Patriarchal territory or not, must be given the papal assent

Canon 181 actually refers to those who are already bishops. Newly ordained bishops fall under Canon 182, which involves the papal assent.

I would also like to stress that the appointment of a bishop in the diaspora is a truly collegial action, and not a merely monarchical decision of the Pope. In other words, the Pope cannot pick his own candidate out of the blue, but must take it from the approved list given by the Synod through the Patriarch or Metropolitan. According to the canons of election (947 ff), a Synod can challenge the choice of the Pope, and if no agreement is reached, the election devolves upon the Synod once again.

Canon 960

1. The competent authority cannot deny confirmation if the person elected is qualified according to the norm of law and the election was conducted in accordance with the law

Quite honestly, the phrasing of Canon 960 causes one to doubt how relevant 947ff are to interaction between Synod and Pope:

And, I don't recollect an option to reject on the Synod's part (and what you describe would be a rejection of the terna presented by the Synod - not impossible, but unlikely), although the hour may be working against my memory.