“Each of Us Comes to Serve,” Says Cardinal-designate Mykola Bychok
A few weeks ago, Pope Francis announced that on December 8, he would hold a consistory to install new cardinals. Among them will be Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne of the UGCC (Australia).
In an interview with Live TV, Bishop Mykola discussed the changes that this nomination has brought to the Church of Australia, the UGCC, and his personal life.
“This news is probably joyful for many people, as the Pope has paid special attention to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church. However, for me, this is an enormous responsibility and challenge I will face in my future ministry,” said the bishop.
He noted that he was astonished, and the news reached him while in Brisbane, where he was visiting the faithful for the feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“My phone was turned off, and when dinner was over, I turned it on and was surprised because I received a flood of congratulations on my appointment as a cardinal. At first, I was confused because I didn’t know what was happening,” the bishop added.
The cardinal-designate remarked that “being an Eastern cardinal is a slightly different experience than being a Western cardinal.”
“Even the vestments will have symbols indicating my affiliation with the Eastern Church, specifically the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church,” the bishop emphasized.
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“I Share in His Joy Today!” — His Beatitude Sviatoslav on Bishop Mykola Bychok’s Elevation to Cardinal
He also shared that he had the opportunity to speak with His Beatitude Sviatoslav regarding this appointment.
“This appointment as a cardinal in no way supersedes the Patriarch or the Head of our Church. His Beatitude Sviatoslav is our father, our Patriarch. The fact that the Holy Father chose me as a cardinal does not mean I will cease fulfilling my duties as a bishop. I am still the bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, and I will continue my ministry for as long as the Lord God entrusts me with it,” said the bishop.
Speaking about possible changes in Australia, Bishop Mykola emphasized, “There will be no changes because we have the head of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.”
“This doesn’t mean that after being appointed a cardinal, you immediately hold every position. Absolutely not! Over time, it will become clearer what responsibilities the Holy Father will entrust to me, what roles I will be called upon for, or which dicastery I will be assigned to,” the Eparch of Melbourne emphasized.
“His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that now there will be two speakers, not just one… Now we have two voices, but we will convey the truth with one heart and one message, especially to the Holy Father and the Holy See,” commented Bishop Mykola on his future ministry.
Read also:
Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok: “I understand how much responsibility this appointment entrusts to me”
“This appointment as a cardinal places great responsibility on me, but it also presents a great opportunity to convey the truth alongside our Patriarch, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, and to ensure that a just peace finally comes to Ukraine,” the cardinal-designate added.
He also noted that the most significant change would be “devoting much more time to this ministry.”
“There will hardly be any privacy because people will constantly be following and, to a certain extent, looking up to you,” the bishop emphasized.
“Each of us is called to serve, just as Jesus Himself said about His own mission: He came to serve. He taught His apostles the same thing. I did not expect this nomination, and I could never have dreamed of it. Titles are important to people, but before God, we are all simple and equal,” said Bishop Mykola.
The UGCC Department for Information
