(CCN) — The largest diaspora of Ukrainians in the world welcomed its new metropolitan archbishop with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church worldwide.
Metropolitan Michael Kwiatkowski was installed as the fourth metropolitan archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg Nov. 8. About 1,200 people gathered for the event.
Kwiatkoski, 64, who was born and raised in the archeparchy. He was serving as the bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster, British Columbia, when he was named metropolitan, succeeding Archbishop Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, whose retired at the age of 75.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, who heads the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church worldwide, travelled to Winnipeg from Kyiv to preside the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, held at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha.
The liturgy began with a letter from Pope Leo XIV expressing his approval of Kwiatkowski’s new role as metropolitan archbishop. Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, apostolic nuncio to Canada read the letter, relaying the pope’s warm intentions for the ministry of the archeparchy.
Metropolitan Archbishop Michael Kwiatkowski.
(photo: Screenshot from Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Enthronement of Metropolitan-Archbishop Michael Kwiatkowski on Youtube)
During the liturgy, Shevchuk preached on the image of “the Christ who hastened to meet the human person.” He encouraged Kwiatkowski to take up this task in his own ministry, leading to unity and love throughout the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada. Shevchuk expressed his confidence in Kwiatkowski’s intentions and abilities to fulfill this mission with ease.
Shevchuk also prayed for all the Catholic faithful in Canada, expressing his hope that Kwiatkowski’s installation will serve as an edifying reminder of the power of faith across the country. Canada possesses the largest diaspora of Ukrainians anywhere in the world, and Shevchuk said he saw the wellbeing of these two countries as deeply intertwined.
“Together let us do some beautiful and bold things for God and for his Church, into which the Lord has welcomed us,” he said. “He will grant us everything we need.”
Drawing on Kwiatkowski’s patronal namesake, he called for St. Michael the Archangel to protect both Ukraine and Canada, forming them in accordance with the will and love of God.
After the liturgy, Kwiatkowski concluded with a note of humble hope addressed to all: “Please pray for me as I will always pray for all of you.
A metropolitan archbishop occupies a dual role. As the archbishop of Winnipeg, Kwiatkowski will serve the people within his eparchy and minister to his clergy as is the vocation of all bishops. As metropolitan, he holds a distinguished role among the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops of Canada in fostering unity among the Ukrainian Catholic bishops in their leadership across the country. He also can call national synods.
Shevchuk was joined by over a dozen bishops and nearly 50 clergy from Eastern Catholic, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches in Canada, the United States and Ukraine. Among them were Metropolitan Ilarion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan of Canada; Ilarion’s predecessor, Metropolitan Yuriy; Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia; Archbishops Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon, Albert LeGatt of St. Boniface, Manitoba, and Richard Smith of Vancouver, and Archbishop-emeritus Sylvain Lavoie of Keewatin-Le Pas, Manitoba.
Several dignitaries also attended. Among them were Manitoba Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville; Conservative MP Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul); and Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada, Andrii Plakhotniuk.
Several public service members from both the provincial and municipal governments were in attendance, a sign of hope for future collaboration, according to Kwiatkowski.
