Patriarch Lubomyr Husar Ukrainian Catholic Seminary Officially Opens in London to Train Future Clergy
On September 12, the Patriarch Lubomyr Husar Ukrainian Catholic Seminary was officially opened in London. The establishment of the seminary marks an important milestone in the life of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Great Britain.
The celebrations began with a Divine Liturgy led by the Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski OBE, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of the Holy Family of London. The Very Reverend David Senyk, Rector of the Seminary, warmly welcomed Bishop Kenneth alongside the six pioneering seminarians, who are set to begin their intensive studies this month in preparation for ordained ministry within the Eparchy of the Holy Family.
“The opening of this seminary represents a profound investment in the spiritual future of our community,” said Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski. “By preparing these six dedicated men for ordained ministry, we are ensuring that the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful will be met for generations to come, rooted right here in the heart of London under the patronage of the late Patriarch Lubomyr Husar.”
A central highlight of the celebration was a special message from the global leadership of the Church. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a special letter of greeting and paternal blessing, sent from the Patriarchal Curia by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, was formally read to the congregation. The blessed letter was then presented directly to the new Rector, Father David Senyk.
Joining Bishop Kenneth at the altar for the concelebration was the Rt Rev Marian Andrej Pacak CSsR, Apostolic Visitor for Slovak Greek Catholics in Western Europe, alongside the newly appointed seminary clergy and other clergy from across the Eparchy. The deeply moving spiritual ceremony was attended by the proud parents, relatives and close family members of the new seminarians, who travelled to witness the dawn of this new academic and pastoral chapter.
Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Kenneth officially blessed the newly designated seminary rooms, facilities and communal living spaces. To mark this historic occasion, the Rector and the seminarians hosted a festive reception for all the gathered dignitaries, clergy and families.
Press Office of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
