Bishop Peter Stasiuk CSsR, Bishop Emeritus of the Melbourne Eparchy of Sts Peter and Paul for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, was farewelled at a funeral liturgy in Melbourne yesterday. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Principal celebrant Cardinal Mykola Bychok described the late bishop as a “dedicated servant of the Church” who will be remembered for his pastoral nature and his missionary spirit.
“Bishop Peter was, above all, a man of the Church,” Cardinal Bychok said.
“He loved her liturgy, her traditions, her theology, her catechism, and above all her people. His heart burned with a missionary spirit. He worked tirelessly so that our Ukrainian Catholic faithful, whether in bustling cities or remote communities, might know Christ and live their faith with confidence.”
Bishop Stasiuk died on August 13, aged 82, in his birth country of Canada. He entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1967. His early years of ministry were spent in Canada, where he developed a deep love for the Ukrainian people and for the Eastern traditions of the Church.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Stasiuk as Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, a role he fulfilled faithfully for nearly three decades until his retirement in 2020.
“He dedicated his life to guiding, protecting and nurturing the flock entrusted to him,” Cardinal Bychok said, “ensuring that the Ukrainian Catholic Church remained a vibrant presence on these distant shores.”
Over the years, Bishop Stasiuk held roles in youth ministry, religious education, ecumenical dialogue and humanitarian outreach, particularly in his role as deputy chair of Caritas Australia.
“He was proud of his culture and heritage, but he was also deeply committed to building bridges across traditions and communities,” Cardinal Bychok said. “He carried the voice of our church into wider society, always advocating for justice, dignity and the presence of God in public life.
“Despite his many responsibilities, Bishop Peter remained a pastor. He was approachable, a good listener, often with a gentle humour, but always with a father’s heart.”
After the Divine Liturgy, the coffin, with Bishop Stasiuk’s earthly remains, was placed in the crypt under the Cathedral Church.
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Bishop Peter Stasiuk remembered for his ‘missionary spirit’ (Melbourne Catholic)
Final Farewell to Bishop Peter Stasiuk takes place in Melbourne (Ukrainian Eparchy)
