Cardinal Mykola Bychok took possession of his titular church in Rome, celebrated Mass, ordained a deacon and held an audience with the pope in what was an eventful week in late June.
The week began with Cardinal Bychok taking possession of the Cathedral of Santa Sofia, his titular church in Rome, on 22 June, with the cardinal only becoming the third in history to hold the title of Santa Sofia.
In attendance were eparchs of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church from Ukraine, Canada, Germany, and many more, as well Australian representatives including Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli.
In his homily, Cardinal Bychok said he aimed to be a uniting force in the church.
“Together, we are called to proclaim the Risen Christ with our lives,” he said.
“As I take possession of this church, I also receive a renewed mission: to be a bridge – between East and West, past and future, and heaven and earth.”
Cardinal Bychok also ordained Sviatoslav Pastushchak to the diaconate for the Melbourne Eparchy later that day, with the cardinal admiring Pastushchak’s devotion and determination to spread the faith.
“The deacon is not merely taking a step towards priesthood; he is a servant of the Word, the altar and the poor,” he said.
“As you take this step on the road to priesthood, know that you do so not alone, [instead] surrounded by our prayers, our support and the example of all the saints.”
Later in the week, the cardinal also partook in a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, alongside other Redemptorist clergy as part of the First International Congress of Redemptorist Bishops.
The next day, Cardinal Bychok assisted the Holy Father in celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.