The head of the Catholic church said that on Dec. 8, he would hold a consistory, an official assembly of cardinals, to mark the new appointments.
“Their [cardinals’] origins express the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on Earth,” the Pontiff said on Oct. 6.
At 44 years old, Bishop Mykola Bychok, originally from Ternopil, will become the youngest cardinal in the world, according to the UGCC.
Bychok became a monk in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer – a Catholic religious order – in 1997 and has worked in various locations in Ukraine and the U.S.. In 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as the Bishop of the Melbourne Eparchy in Australia.
“This appointment places upon me the responsibility for the life and future of our entire Church,” Bychok said. “I’m aware of the difficult times our Ukrainian people are facing due to the war, I will continue to inform the Catholic world about what is happening in our land and constantly remind them of Ukraine.”
This decision demonstrates the strengthening authority of the UGCC on a global level, says Serhiy Kasyanchuk, Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine (2014-2024).
“It will be a powerful tool for influence within the international Christian community,” he said.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the UGCC’s Head, said that the Church rejoices at the prospect of having another bishop who, “in addition to the Head of the Church, will competently speak to the Pope and defend our Church and the people of Ukraine.”
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) was among the first to congratulate Bishop Mykola Bychok on his honorary appointment.