Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR took possession of his titular church in Rome in an official ceremony on Sunday. Source: Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Cardinal Bychok celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Santa Sophia in Rome on Saturday.
Before the liturgy, an official ceremony was held to receive his titular church, which Pope Francis granted Cardinal Bychok when he was inducted into the College of Cardinals on December 7, 2024.
Eparchs of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church attended from Ukraine, Canada, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia.
Australia was represented at the ceremony by Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Bunbury Bishop George Kolodziej, Port Pirie Bishop Karol Kulczycki and Maronite Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay.
Also attending the celebration were members of the diplomatic corps, the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, John Dunlap, clergy, religious, and lay faithful.
Papal protonotary Msgr William Millea read the papal bull of Pope Francis, granting the title to Cardinal Bychok
In his homily, Cardinal Bychok said that in taking possession of the titular church, he not only receives a title but also spiritually unites himself with generations of faithful who gathered here, especially those who bore the cross of exile, persecution, and forced displacement.
He also emphasised that although he accepts the Cathedral of Saint Sophia as his titular church, the church will continue to serve as the seat of the Patriarch in the Eternal City of Rome.
“As I take possession of this church, I also receive a renewed mission: to be a bridge – between East and West, past and future, and heaven and earth. I do so not alone, but with all of you.
“Together, we are called to proclaim the Risen Christ with our lives. As Pope Leo XIV reminded us at the beginning of his pontificate: ‘The Church must be a sanctuary of hope, a voice of peace, and a light that no darkness can overcome.’
“These words challenge us to be bold in faith and tender in love, to walk with those who suffer, and to radiate Christ’s presence in every corner of the world.”
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Cardinal Mykola Bychok took possession of his titular church in Rome (Ukrainian Catholic Church Australia New Zealand Oceania)
Cardinal Mykola Bychok’s homily, June 22 (Ukrainian Catholic Church Australia New Zealand Oceania)
