Bishop Mykola Bychok participates in the Plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
From November 4 to 8, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, attended the semi-annual plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Sydney. Over the course of five days, Catholic bishops from across Australia discussed important issues concerning the development and life of the Catholic Church and prayed for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
This was the first gathering of all the bishops of Australia following the announcement of Pope Francis’ decision to nominate Bishop Mykola for the cardinalate. Bishop Mykola delivered a speech in which he sincerely thanked the members of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference for their support. “I thank you for your messages of support, but above all, your prayers. Since my arrival in Australia in 2021, I have found your personal support and friendship to be one of the greatest gifts I have received in my life. My words cannot fully express how much I have come to rely on your wisdom, friendship, and love,” said Bishop Mykola. He also asked for continued support in his new ministry: “Australia is now my home, which I love. I am a cardinal from Australia, and I will be a cardinal for Australia. But I cannot do this on my own. I need your help, your wisdom, and above all, your prayers.”
The bishop also reminded those gathered about the war in Ukraine: “My brothers and sisters in Ukraine continue to suffer at the hands of the russian aggressor. I know that the Church has a great role to play in achieving a just peace for Ukraine. I know that the generosity of Catholics in Australia has and continues to assist those in Ukraine who suffer.”
During the plenary meeting, a prayer for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East was placed on each participant’s desk. On Thursday, November 7, the bishops prayed together with this intention. “Our prayer has been and will continue to be for just peace in our country,” said Bishop Mykola.
While in Sydney, Bishop Mykola held a number of important meetings, including a visit to the new office of Catholic Mission Australia, where he met with Father Brian Lucas, the mission’s national director. The bishop noted: “I had the opportunity to personally thank Father Brian for his support of our mission projects here in Australia and New Zealand, which allow us to bring God’s word and the Holy Sacraments to our faithful, especially during this time of war in Ukraine.”
Bishop Mykola also met with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, and the Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo. This meeting took place in the Church of St. Mary MacKillop and was accompanied by prayer at her relics. The bishop expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the Order for their assistance to Ukraine, as the Order has supported vulnerable people in Ukraine since 1991. “They have truly done a great deal and continue to do so; they are the good hands of the merciful Father in this world,” the bishop emphasised.
Among the important moments was Bishop Mykola’s meeting with Cardinal John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. “It was very important for me to meet with a fellow cardinal for the first time since my nomination. He knew that I was in Sydney, and since he was also here on business, he came to see me. It was a very warm meeting. Cardinal John supported me, shared his experience, and assured me of his prayers,” said Bishop Mykola.
Press office of the Melbourne EparchyPhoto: Paul Osborne/Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
