The Society is delighted to welcome the appointment of Bishop Hlib Lonchyna MSU, curial bishop of the Majorarchbishopric of Kyiv-Halyc, Ukraine, as Apostolic Exarch for the Ukrainian faithful of the Byzantine rite in Great Britain.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a part of the Catholic Church, but it is not Roman Catholic, as it uses the Byzantine Rite, not the Roman or Latin rite. It belongs to the same Christian family as the Orthodox Church, but many centuries ago its unity with the Apostolic See of Rome was recovered. It is thus a separate and self-governing Church but in full communion with the Pope and thus with the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the complexities of the history of Christianity in Ukraine, and relations with the Latin Catholic Church in the West and the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has, especially in recent years, set itself the task of working hard to promote peace, unity, and understanding, believing Eastern Catholics have a special role in the reconciliation of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The recent growth and wide impact of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv is testament to this positive role, increasingly welcomed and respect on all sides after many years of difficulties. Christianity in Ukraine is stronger and more faithful as a result.
Normally the Majorarchbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Cardinal Lubomyr Husak, would make the appointment of bishops to eparchies (dioceses) in the Ukraine, recognised by the Holy See, but as the appointment to lead the diocese in the United Kingdom is within the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, the invitation and appointment resides with the Pope, through the ‘Oriental’ Congregation for Eastern Churches, after the usual consultation and the agreement of the Cardinal in Kyiv
The Exarchate has been without a bishop for many years and we share the rejoicing that at last they will have their own pastor, sent direct from the Majorarchbishopric. The clergy of the Exarchate have been good friends to the Society in recent years, especially Father Benjamin Lysykanych, the apostolic administrator who deserves a long deserved relief after shouldering the burdens of the diocese for so long. We wish Bishop Hlib, and all his new clergy and faithful every blessing in this new chapter in the life of their Church and assure them of our prayers and constant friendship.