Final Farewell to Bishop Peter Stasiuk takes place in Melbourne
On Wednesday, October 1, on the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, the funeral of Bishop Peter Stasiuk, CSsR, the second Eparch of the Melbourne Eparchy of Sts. Peter and Paul for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, was held at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne. He was joined by numerous representatives of the Catholic Church in Australia, including Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia; Bishop Peter Comensoli, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne; Bishop Michael McKenna, Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst; Bishop Greg Bennett, Bishop of the Diocese of Sale; Bishop Paul Bird, Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat; Bishop Emeritus Terence Curtin; Fr. Chris de Souza, General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference; and Fr. John Hodgson, Provincial of the Redemptorist Congregation of the Province of Oceania.
Guests from Canada also came to say last farewells to Bishop Peter: Bishop Bryan Bayda, Bishop of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada; Fr. Bohdan Lukie, CSsR, and Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, CSsR.
Melbourne Eparchy clergy from all corners of Australia gathered for Bishop Peter’s funeral—priests and deacons for whom Bishop Peter had been an archpastor, spiritual guide, and father for many years. The clergy of the UAOC, led by the head of the consistory, Fr. Michael Solomko, also joined in the common prayer.
In his homily, Bishop Mykola noted, “Bishop Peter was, above all, a man of the Church. He loved her liturgy, her traditions, her theology, her catechism, and above all, her people. His heart burned with a missionary spirit — he worked tirelessly so that our Ukrainian Catholic faithful, whether in bustling cities or remote communities, might know Christ and live their faith with confidence.”
Continuing his address, he added, “The Scriptures we have heard remind us that our true homeland is in heaven. Saint Paul assures us, ‘If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with Him.’ This is our hope today — that Bishop Peter, who so faithfully served Christ’s Church, now hears the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Master.’”
“Dear brothers and sisters, grief is natural in the face of death. We will miss Bishop Peter’s presence, his wisdom, and his leadership. But our faith assures us that death does not have the final word. The Mother of God, whose protection we celebrate today, points us always to her Son, the conqueror of death, the giver of life eternal. Just as she extended her veil over the faithful of Constantinople centuries ago, today she extends her veil over Bishop Peter, interceding for him before the throne of God. Let us, then, entrust our beloved Bishop Peter to Christ with confidence. Let us give thanks for his life of service, his witness of faith, and his love for the Church. May the Mother of God of Perpetual Help, whom he loved so dearly, receive him beneath her mantle, and may the Lord grant him eternal rest in the company of the saints.”
After the Divine Liturgy, the coffin with Bishop Peter’s earthly remains was placed in the crypt under the Cathedral Church. This church became the spiritual heart of the eparchy and the place of Bishop Peter’s many years of service. It was here that he found his final earthly rest.
Afterwards, all those present were invited to a memorial reception in the Patriarch Joseph Hall. During the meal, a letter was read from Bishop Peter’s family in Canada, who, unfortunately, were unable to attend in person.
In the letter, the family wrote, “Our family would like to start by thanking the clergy and faithful of Australia for your prayers and good wishes over the last few months of Bishop Peter’s life, and as we grieved his passing. Hearing your stories of your relationships and experiences with Bishop Peter has strengthened and enriched us. We see the personal connection you all had with him. You have shared your experiences; you prayed, and now we all grieve. We also want to thank you for the almost 30 years you shared with him. Although he was Canadian, and a piece of his heart was always in Canada, he truly became Australian because of you. Australia became his home, and this is where his body will rest. Thank you.”
Bishop Peter’s family also shared personal memories from their lives, highlighting the deceased’s deep faith, zeal for service, and sincere love for the Church.
Bishop Peter Stasiuk, CSsR, left a deep mark on the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia and among the entire Ukrainian community. May the Merciful Lord rest his soul in His Heavenly abode, and may the grateful memory of him live forever in the hearts of the faithful.
