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Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg

Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church

“Pray for me to be a true and holy bishop”: Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski’s Episcopal Consecration in Winnipeg

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On November 8, 2023, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the Rite of Episcopal Consecration for Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski was held at the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg, Canada. Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg served as the principal consecrator. Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia and Bishop David Motiuk, Eparch of Edmonton, served as the co-consecrators.

During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Lawrence greeted the faithful and the many bishops who traveled to participate in Bishop Michael’s episcopal ordination.

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“His Beatitude Sviatoslav—who, in accordance with canon law, holds the authority to ordain all bishops for the Ukrainian Catholic Church—delegated me, as Metropolitan, to preside over this consecration. His demanding schedule, due primarily to the war in Ukraine, does not allow him to perform it personally. I am joined by two co-consecrators: Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia, who worked with Bishop Michael in Ukraine for many years, and Bishop David Motiuk, who served as the Apostolic Administrator of the New Westminster Eparchy following Bishop Nowakowski’s appointment to London,” the Metropolitan said.

The Metropolitan of Winnipeg addressed the newly ordained Bishop, conveying the words of the Head of the UGCC as found in the Decree of Appointment:

“Dear brother! Today you join the line of bishops of the New Westminster Eparchy who, in their ministry, fulfilled God’s will ‘that all men may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.’ Preserve and multiply their work, dear Bishop! You will perform this ministry in accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches and the particular laws of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

We encourage you, in compliance with the admonition of the Apostle to the Nations, to be ‘blameless, hospitable, benevolent, wise, just, pious, and self-controlled; holding to the true doctrine according to the teaching… capable of instructing in sound doctrine and of exhorting those who oppose it.’ We remind you of your important duty to be a faithful member of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC and, in accordance with the provisions of the law, to participate in it at every call of the Father and Head of the Church. We urge you to preserve and affirm the faith, and to work faithfully for the salvation of the souls of our faithful. Listen to the clergy and laity of the eparchy entrusted to you.”
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He continued: “We ask the clergy and the God-loving laity of the eparchy to welcome His Excellency, Bishop Michael, with open and sincere hearts, with respect and with love. We urge the clergy to show him due obedience in serving Christ, His Holy Church, and the People of God, so that the word of Christ’s truth may spread throughout the eparchy to the glory of the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving, and Undivided Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

In his address of gratitude, delivered in English, the newly ordained Bishop Michael thanked all those who accompanied him on his journey of vocation and ministry: his parents, siblings, and his entire family; the Redemptorist Fathers and his former seminary colleagues in Manitoba—including Bishop Bryan Bayda, with whom he studied at St. Vladimir’s College, and the rector at that time, Bishop Peter Stasiuk; the Basilian Fathers and his brothers at the Pontifical Ukrainian College of St. Josaphat in Rome; the Dominican Fathers of the Angelicum and the Jesuit Fathers of the Pontifical Oriental Institute; his brothers in the priesthood within the Winnipeg Archeparchy; and the sisters of various congregations.

He also expressed gratitude to his brother bishops: Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk, Archbishop Myroslav Marusyn, principal consecrator Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, co-consecrators Metropolitan Borys Gudziak and Bishop David Motiuk, and Metropolitan-emeritus Stefan Soroka. He further acknowledged the Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops in attendance, as well as all the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Michael also remembered His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar, who called him to serve in the Patriarchal Curia in Lviv, and all those who worked with him during that time, particularly at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to two other bishops who not only played a significant role in the beginning of my new ministry today, but who I know are praying for me at this time: the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, who appointed me Bishop of New Westminster, and the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, who, together with the Synod of Bishops, elected and nominated me,” said Bishop Michael.

He concluded by calling on those present to keep His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Church in Ukraine, and the suffering Ukrainian people in their constant prayers.

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