Eparchial Administrator Elected for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster
With the installation of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada on November 8, 2026, the Eparchy of New Westminster is now awaiting the appointment of its next Eparchial Bishop.
In accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, the College of Consultors of our Eparchy have met and elected Rev. Joe Ostopowich as Eparchial Administrator. Fr. Joe will administer the Eparchy until a new Bishop is appointed and enthroned.
We give thanks to God for Metropolitan Michael’s years of pastoral care among us and assure him of our prayers as he begins his new ministry in service of the whole Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada.
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What happens next
The new Bishop for our Eparchy will be chosen through the process of our Church: the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church proposes candidates, and the appointment is made by the Holy Father. Until then, the Eparchial Administrator oversees the life of the Eparchy, and the parishes continue their ordinary liturgical and pastoral life. The timing of the appointment is not yet known, so this is a season of prayerful and trusting waiting for the whole Eparchy.
A prayer for a new bishop
Fr. Joe asks all clergy and religious to add the following petitions to the ektenia at every Divine Liturgy:
May our Lord grant our Eparchy not only a bishop to govern, but a spiritual and pastoral father who will love his people, serve with humility, teach with wisdom, and lead souls to Christ. O Lord, hear our prayer and have mercy!
We also pray for all the clergy, monastics, religious, and faithful of our Eparchy, that during this time of prayerful waiting our Lord may strengthen us in faith, continue to unite us in love, and grant us patience and trust in His Divine Providence. O Lord, hear our prayer and have mercy!
The faithful are warmly encouraged to include this intention in their personal and family prayers as well.
Visiting the parishes
Fr. Joe hopes to attend as many parish feast days (praznyky) as possible during his time as Administrator. We invite the faithful of our parishes to welcome him with prayer and joy.
Please pray for Fr. Joe
Fr. Joe asks the clergy and faithful to remember him in prayer, that God would grant him wisdom and guidance in fulfilling the duties of Eparchial Administrator. He relies on the prayers and support of the whole Eparchy and thanks everyone for their friendship.
Prepared by Fr. Stepan Vytvytskyi, Communications Manager, Eparchy of New Westminster
