First Church for Ukrainian Catholic Community Consecrated in Ireland
On October 15, a historic event took place in Waterford, Ireland, when the first church for Ukrainian Catholics in the region was consecrated. This event was facilitated by Fr. Andriy Soviak, a priest of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy of the UGCC, who administers pastoral care for Ukrainians in Ireland.v
Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Apostolic Visitator for Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Ireland and Northern Ireland, reported this on Facebook.
Bishop Alphonsus, Eparch of Waterford, blessed an agreement with the Franciscan Fathers to transfer their monastery church, which had been empty for several years, to Ukrainian Catholics.
The church was consecrated by Bishop Kenneth together with Bishop Alphonsus and Bishop Hryhoriy Komar, Auxiliary Bishop of the Sambir-Drohobych Eparchy. The parish church will retain the name “Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St. Francis in Waterford.”
After the historic Divine Liturgy, the faithful and guests enjoyed a spectacular parish concert.
Currently, five Ukrainian Catholic priests in Ireland minister in more than ten mission sites.
