On November 7, 2023, the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg hosted Great Vespers with the Rite of Episcopal Nomination for Fr. Michael Kwiatkowski, who was elected ruling bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg presided over the ceremony, concelebrating with Bishop David Motiuk, Eparch of Edmonton and Apostolic Administrator of the New Westminster Eparchy, and Bishop Bryan Bayda, Eparch of Toronto and Eastern Canada.
The ceremony commenced with the reading of the Papal Decree from His Holiness Pope Francis, appointing Father Michael to the episcopacy, in both Ukrainian and English.
“At this moment, beloved son, as we entrust you to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy martyr Josaphat, we beseech you to carry out your service with the heart of a father, to embrace all those entrusted to you, and to show special care for young people and the elderly, defending their rights and bearing witness to the truth that God and His Church love them deeply,” the letter reads.
The Episcopal Consecration of the newly named Bishop took place on November 8, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg. The Divine Liturgy began at 6:00 PM local time. On that day, the Church celebrated the Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven.
As previously reported, on August 24, 2023, the Vatican announced that His Holiness Pope Francis—having blessed the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC—appointed Fr. Michael Kwiatkowski as the bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster.
