Synod of Bishops Prays for Deceased Hierarchs
On September 9, 2023, during the Synod of Bishops in Rome (Italy), a prayer was held for the deceased bishops — previous members of the Synod.
Bishop Volodymyr Kovbych, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Curitiba, presided over the hierarchical Divine Liturgy. “Today we had a Liturgy and a memorial service for the repose of our predecessors,” said Bishop Volodymyr, “I think it is of the utmost importance and beautiful to pray for those who lived and served before us. They are, for us, an example of pastoral care, missionary spirit, devotion, and love for the Church and the people.”
During the memorial service, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, said a prayer “for all the deceased bishops, previous members of the Synod of Bishops.”
“Certainly, we constantly remember the deceased bishops. This year, we celebrate the anniversary of the memory of His Beatitude Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. Also, this year, since the last Synod, two bishops have passed away in our eparchy. These are Bishops Robert Moskal and Ivan Bura. Bishop Ivan Bura was an excellent example for me. He was the rector of the seminary. So, my life has been connected with him since my seminary days. He was a kind, humble father when he came to the eparchy. But whenever there was a need, he was always ready to assist with a word or an idea. I am extremely grateful to him. Today, at this Divine Liturgy, I especially prayed for both of them,” says Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat, with its seat in Parma, Ohio, USA.
The nominated Bishop of the New Westminster Eparchy of the UGCC, Fr. Mykhailo Kvyatkovsky, recalls the first Metropolitan of Winnipeg, Maksym Hermaniuk, his consecrator. “Metropolitan Maksym believed in me. Immediately after my ordination, he made me secretary of his office, even though I was assigned to the parish as an associate. What did I learn from him? First, he was an outstanding bishop and a serious diplomat at the global level. He participated in various conferences in Rome and Ottawa and conferences of the Roman Catholic bishops of Canada. We often read news in the press about his wide-ranging activities. He was indeed an influential person not only in our Church. At the same time, he was a kind man in his relations with priests and the faithful. I remember these times with fondness,” Fr. Mykhailo shared his memories.
Forty-five bishops of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC, the nominated Bishop of the New Westminster Eparchy, Fr Mykhailo Kvyatkovsky, guests, and representatives of the Synod’s secretariat took part in the prayer for the dead.
Press service of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC
