Source: Eparchy of Saskatoon

Toronto, February 22, 2025 — The sessions of the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) commenced today in Toronto.

The following members of the Permanent Synod are participating in these meetings: Metropolitan Borys Gudziak (Archbishop of Philadelphia, USA); Bishop Włodzimierz Juszczak, OSBM (Eparch of Wrocław-Koszalin, Poland); Bishop Josaphat Moshchych (Eparch of Chernivtsi, Ukraine); and Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh (Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainians of the Byzantine Rite in Germany and Scandinavia). His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, presides over the sessions, with Bishop Andriy Khim’yak, Auxiliary Bishop of the Kyiv Archeparchy, serving as Secretary.

As is tradition, the working day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Parish of the Holy Prophet Elias in Brampton.

The two working sessions of this 82nd (11th) session of the Permanent Synod were marked by a joint meeting with the Ukrainian Catholic bishops serving in Canada. According to Bishop Andriy Khim’yak, this gathering provided “an opportunity for community building and a profound testimony to the unity of the global UGCC.”

The Canadian hierarchy in attendance included Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR (Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada); Bishop David Motiuk (Eparchy of Edmonton); Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski (Eparchy of New Westminster); Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR (Eparchy of Saskatoon); and Bishop Andriy Rabiy (Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg). Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, of Winnipeg joined the meeting via video conference.

During the session, the Canadian bishops provided a detailed report on the pastoral situation within the Metropolia of Winnipeg. They noted that, according to government statistics, approximately 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since February 24, 2022, with the majority settling within the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada.

“The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada is utilizing various means to serve these newcomers and integrate them into our parish communities,” the bishops noted. “New communities are being established in areas with high concentrations of Ukrainians where no established parish exists, often through the rental of Roman Catholic churches.” Consequently, the bishops emphasized a pressing need for active priests possessed of a missionary spirit.

The bishops also shared their experiences in implementing the UGCC Pastoral Plan and their engagement with the broader Catholic Church’s Synodal Path. Special attention was given to the state of monastic life within the Metropolia, specifically the ministries of the Basilian Fathers (OSBM), the Redemptorists (CSsR), the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI), and the Sisters of St. Joseph the Betrothed. The ongoing activities of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Edmonton were also discussed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the bishops of the Winnipeg Metropolia expressed their gratitude to His Beatitude Sviatoslav and the members of the Permanent Synod for their visit and pastoral attention.

“Through this visit of the Permanent Synod, the Mother Church demonstrates her closeness to the Metropolia of Winnipeg—to its bishops, clergy, monastics, and laity,” Bishop Andriy Khim’yak concluded.

Press Service of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC