Cardinal-designate Mykola Bychok CSsR – the Melbourne-based Ukrainian eparch and the youngest of 21 new cardinals-designate recently announced by Pope Francis – has had what he described as “a very big week”. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in North Melbourne yesterday, Cardinal-designate Bychok explained that the Pope’s announcement came as “a complete surprise”.
Cardinal-designate Bychok was on a pastoral visit in Brisbane and at dinner with his phone turned off when the Pope made the announcement in Rome.
“When I turned my phone back on, a flood of messages came through. To be honest, at first, I thought that was a joke. It has taken some time for it all to begin sinking in,” he said.
While he is yet to learn the particulars of the appointment, Cardinal-designate Bychok said he “obediently and willingly” accepts “this great privilege of being a voice to the experiences and challenges of so many in need – most particularly the Ukrainian people, and the faithful of Australia”.
The appointment does not “supersede” his current role, he said.
“I remain, first and foremost, the eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, and a bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, united with His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav, our Father and Head, and my brother bishops in the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.”
He also reiterated his commitment to continuing his “deep collaboration” with his brother bishops in Australia, from both the Latin and Eastern traditions.
“We are blessed to be a living in this country free of war and conflict, which has become a place of peace and hope for many refugees and migrants,’ he said.
When asked, Bishop Bychok said he has no plans to return to Ukraine.
“I am still the Bishop for Ukrainians here in Australia and New Zealand, and in Oceania. I love this country,” he said. “Melbourne is my home.”
“I was surprised by this nomination,” he said, “but God works in mysterious ways. Maybe after a few months or a few years, we will see a special sign of this nomination. It will be a great opportunity for me and His Beatitude [Patriarch Sviatoslav] to be like one heart and one voice before the Holy See – especially for His Holiness Pope Francis.”
FULL STORY
Cardinal-designate Bychok’s ‘very big week’ (Melbourne Catholic)
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