Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, said he received the news that he would be created a cardinal in December with “great surprise”. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
On Sunday, Pope Francis named the Redemptorist bishop as one of 21 new cardinals to be created at the next consistory in Rome on December 8.
“I am certainly feeling excited, because this appointment is a great privilege – not a privilege granted to me personally, but a privilege granted by Pope Francis to the entire Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Catholic Church in Australia,” Cardinal-designate Bychok said.
“I understand how much responsibility this appointment entrusts to me.
“Knowing the difficult times that our Ukrainian people are going through because of the war, I will continue to inform the Catholic world about what is happening in our land and constantly remind them of Ukraine.”
Cardinal-designate Bychok said being created a cardinal “is also a great responsibility to the Catholic Church in Australia, where faith is gradually being lost and secularisation is spreading.
“I ask the Lord to guide me in responding to these challenges with strength and dignity,” he said.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Timothy Costelloe SDB congratulated Cardinal-designate Bychok on behalf of the conference.
“Since being appointed as the Eparch (bishop) of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, Bishop Mykola has won the affection and admiration not only of his own people but also of the bishops of Australia.
“He is a valued member of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.”
The 21 cardinals-designate named by Pope Francis hail from 18 nations, CNS reported. Eight of the cardinals come from Europe, five from Latin America, five from Asia, two from Africa and one from North America.
The oldest on the list is Italian Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, 99, a career Vatican diplomat who served in New Zealand, Colombia, Hungary, Moldova and the Netherlands before retiring in 2001.
At just 44, Cardinal-designate Bychok is the youngest on the list.
FULL STORY
Most Rev Mykola Bychok CSsR, Eparch of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics, proclaimed a Cardinal of the Catholic Church (Ukrainian Eparchy via Melbourne Catholic)
Bishops congratulate cardinal nominee Mykola Bychok (ACBC)
Pope announces he will create 21 new cardinals in December (CNS)
