Funeral Services for Bishop Peter Stasiuk Begin in Winnipeg
On the evening of August 21, 2025, funeral services for the repose of the soul of Bishop Peter Stasiuk, C. Ss. R., Bishop Emeritus of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, Australia, commenced at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg.
The Parastas was presided over by the Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg. Concelebrating with him were Archbishop-Emeritus Stefan Soroka; Most Rev. David Motiuk, Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton; Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg; and Bishop Emeritus John Stephen Pazak, C. Ss. R., of the Ruthenian Catholic Church, who traveled from Saskatchewan for the service.
At 7:00 p.m., the coffin bearing the body of Bishop Peter was carried into St. Joseph’s Church. On the threshold, a Gospel passage from John (11:21–27) was read, proclaiming Christ’s words to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Responses for the service were provided by the choir of St. Volodymyr’s College graduates from Roblin, Manitoba, under direction of Rev. John Sianchuk, C. Ss. R. The institution held a special significance for the late bishop, as he was once a student there and later served as its rector from 1981 to 1993.
Homily by Bishop David Motiuk: “Bishop Peter Continues to Preach the Gospel”
Following the 9th ode of the canon, Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton, delivered the homily.
“We pray for the blessed repose of Bishop Peter and we give thanks to God for a life that was worthily lived and touched the hearts of many—from his family and communities in Canada to his long-term ministry in Australia,” he noted.
Bishop David emphasized that even in death, the hierarch “continues to preach the Gospel.” He explained, “Today, as we stand before the coffin of Bishop Peter, it is as if he is delivering his final sermon to us. Its main message is hope in the resurrection. We hear the words of Christ: ‘Do not weep. This is not the end. What lies ahead is eternal life.’”
The bishop recalled the many stages of Bishop Peter’s life: his work as a teacher and rector at St. Volodymyr’s College, his service in parishes, his many years of episcopal ministry in Australia, and his devotion to the catechetical mission of the Church.
Bishop David particularly highlighted the late bishop’s pivotal role in the creation of the UGCC Catechism, Christ — Our Pascha. “This was his life’s work, his great dream, which he realized for the good of our entire Church,” he said. “He leaves us a legacy of precious pearls of faith, from which we can continue to draw nourishment today.”
In conclusion, Bishop David called on the faithful to take up the Catechism and “continue the path of Bishop Peter in witnessing hope and love in the world.”
Condolences from His Beatitude Sviatoslav
After the Parastas, Bishop Andriy Rabiy read a letter of condolence from the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
“I thank the merciful God that I had the opportunity to visit the newly departed bishop during his hospitalization in March of this year,” His Beatitude wrote in the letter, which was addressed to the current Eparch of Melbourne, His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok, C. Ss. R.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav called Bishop Peter “a son of the Canadian land with a Ukrainian heart that burned with love for his people.” He emphasized that for nearly three decades, the bishop had devotedly served the faithful in Australia, offering special support to the youth and working to preserve the Ukrainian heritage.
“In his person, priests and laity, especially the youth, found support, spiritual accompaniment, and a deep testimony of faith in the risen Christ. He was a zealous defender of the Ukrainian heritage: its language, history, and culture, which he respected and affirmed among his flock,” the letter stated.
The Head of the UGCC also noted Bishop Peter’s contributions to the Synod of Bishops and his many years of service on the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, which bore generous fruit, from the formation of catechists to the compilation of the Catechism, Christ — Our Pascha.
“We believe that Bishop Peter is already in the arms of the loving Savior, for whose glory he lived, and speaks to us with words of great hope: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tim. 4:7),” His Beatitude Sviatoslav concluded.
The Last Farewell
Following the service, Metropolitan Lawrence invited the faithful to come forward for the “last kiss” or farewell, an opportunity to personally say goodbye to Bishop Peter by paying their final respects at his casket.
The funeral services will continue on Friday, August 22. At 10:00 a.m., a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church. Following the Liturgy, Bishop Stasiuk’s body will be transported to Roblin for a funeral Liturgy on Saturday afternoon, and, then to Australia for burial.
Archeparchy of Winnipeg
