Episcopal Letters

A message from the Alberta Catholic Bishops to Parents, Trustees, Superintendents of Education of Catholic Schools Boards and to the Catholic Educational Community

In June 2008, the Government of Alberta announced the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine into the publicly funded immunization program. This means that female students entering Grade 5 classrooms in September in our school system will be offered the vaccine. Beginning in September 2009, Grade 9 girls will also be eligible for a three-year period.

From Our Diversity We Come Together in a Sacred Unity

From the many priests, deacons and laity here today, we have heard prayers chanted in Greek, Arabic, Ukrainian, Spanish, French and English. Later we shall hear them chanted in Slovak, Hungarian, and Romanian as well -- just some of the languages in which this ancient Divine Liturgy is celebrated throughout the world. Indeed, in this celebration of the Divine Liturgy we experience the great diversity that constitutes the People of God. But, as we heard in the letter to the Ephesians, we are united in one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.

49th International Eucharistic Congress: June 15-22, 2008, Quebec City

The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will take place in Quebec City from June 15-22, 2008, with between 12,000 to 15,000 delegates from over sixty countries taking part, and some 250,000 faithful at the closing Divine Liturgy at which Pope Benedict XI is expected to preside via satellite link.

100th Anniversary of Catholic Missions in Canada (1908-2008)

In 2008, Catholic Missions in Canada is celebrating its 100th Anniversary of service to missions and missionaries throughout Canada, which includes assisting Ukrainian Catholics in need. Sunday, June 29 has been set aside as Awareness Sunday throughout the Eparchy of Edmonton to make the work of Catholic Missions in Canada better known. This Sunday was specially chosen as it coincides with the Feast of the Saints Peter and Paul, the Apostles, who as great missionaries spread the Gospel message to the far ends of the world.

On the Road to Emmaus: A Message to Youth from the Synodal Commission of the UGCC on Youth

Not long ago we stepped over the threshold of the third millennium. Some segment of time has passed. On one hand, it was not an easy time, but on the other it was a very full period for our Church. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers nurtured their Christian faith in very difficult circumstances, and thanks to Divine providence and care, it not only survived on both banks of the Dnipro, where it was rooted by the Baptism of St. Volodymyr in 988, but also spread to many countries of the world. To all of you, young faithful of our Church in Ukraine and in the diaspora, we direct our gaze. Be certain that the Church places great hope in you and your young spirits, zealous, full of optimism and good impetus. You are the world’s future; you are the future of the Church. But in order for it to become a worthy future, you must find a trustworthy foundation in the achievements of the past and to use all the positive opportunities of today skilfully and fully. This is why we want to stress the necessity of being aware of the great responsibility before past generations who handed down to us the priceless treasure of Christian faith and the Church’s tradition, expecting its growth in the new conditions of the third millennium.

Clergy and Religious Encounter of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada

At the end of May, the Eparchy of Edmonton will have the distinct privilege to welcome some 150 bishops, priests, deacons, sisters and monks from our five Ukrainian Catholic eparchies across Canada. This gathering will have as its focus the catechetical formation of our faithful. This same question was discussed last year in Ukraine.

Про Зустріч духовенства та монашества Украïнськоï католицькоï Церкви Канади

Наприкінці травня на Едмонтонську єпархію випаде велика честь вітати яких 150 єпископів, священиків, дияконів, монахинь та монахів з наших п’яти канадських єпархій. Мета нашої зустрічі буде обговорювання питання катехизації наших вірних. Це саме питання минулого року обговорювалося в Україні.

Pastoral Letter of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada for Easter

As we celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, let us go in search of the Lord at the break of dawn like the Ointment-Bearing Women. Having heard the proclamation in the Liturgy that Christ has risen from the dead, let us go and announce this good news to all. Let us strive to eliminate the various causes of darkness in this world. Let us enlighten our families, our friends and the strangers around us with the joy of the Risen Lord by proclaiming: Christ is Risen – Indeed He is Risen!

Christmas Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of the UGCC in Canada (2007)

On the occasion of the joyful Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, we, your Pastors, would like to invite ourselves into each of your homes and communities, in order to share with you the wonderful good tidings, that this day the Son of God is born! On Christmas Eve, as the first star appears in the heavens, we light the Christmas candle in our homes and in the words of our ancient carol we greet the Newborn Saviour:

The Eternal God is born
Today he came from the heavens
To save all his people,
And filled all with joy.

This sharing of happiness is so rich and wide, that each year we celebrate the Feast, always entering deeper into the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God, and never exhausting the ineffable joy in our hearts.

Різвдяне Послання Владик УГКЦеркви в Канаді (2007)

Зі світлим Празником Різдва Христового, ми, ваші Пастирі, хотіли б якимсь чином спільно увійти в кожний Ваш дім, і загостити до кожної спільноти, щоб поділитись радісною новиною: що Божий Син народився! В Різдв’яну ніч, з появою першої звізди ми запалюємо по наших домах свічку, та вітаємо Новонародженого прадавньою нашою колядою:

«Бог Предвічний народився,
прийшов днесь із небес,
щоб спасти люд свій ввесь
і утішив вся».

А це „утішення всіх” настільки широке і багате, що стрічаючи Празник з року в рік, ми завжди входимо глибше у світле таїнство Воплочення Божого Сина, та ніколи не вичерпуємо її невимовної радости у наших серцях.

ENCOUNTER 2008: The Gathering of Clergy and Religious of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada

In 2005, we, the bishops and clergy, together with the monastics, religious sisters, seminarians and clergy wives gathered together in Winnipeg, to pray and discern about our vocation in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. Even though for many years our laity have met regularly through Eparchial Congresses and National Conventions, this was the first time in the history of our Church in Canada that such a gathering was held for the clergy and religious. Much hope was expressed and many ideas were shared. Most importantly there was common consensus that such gatherings should continue in order to better serve our Church in Canada and its many needs.

ЗУСТРІЧ 2008: Зустріч духовенства й монашества украïнськоï католицькоï Церкви Канади

Pastoral Letter on The Ukrainian Famine (1932-1933) – Holodomor

We live in blessed times. Most of us do not know what it is like to go to bed hungry. Prosperity abounds. Tragically, others are not always as fortunate. Indeed, in living memory, by the end of 1933, millions of people in Ukraine died from starvation, perhaps as many as one-quarter of the population. They died needlessly as the crop harvests were plentiful. The result is known today as the Ukrainian Famine or “Holodomor” in Ukrainian. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor. What happened and why?

Пасторальний лист з приводу Голодомору в Україні (1932-1933 рр.)

Ми живемо у щасливий час. Більшість із нас ніколи не відчули на собі, що таке голод. Добробут панує скрізь. Але трагічно, не всім так щастить. Не так давно, до кінця 1933 р., мільйони людей в Україні загинули голодною смертю, до однієї чверті населення країни. Вони загинули без причини, адже врожаї були щедрі. Нині цю подію називають Голодомор. Цього року ми відзначаємо 75-у річницю Голодомору. Що трапилося та навіщо?

Pastoral Letter of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada Marking the 75 Anniversary of the Holodomor – The Man-Made Famine in Ukraine (1932-1933)

This year people of Ukrainian descent throughout the world will initiate plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor – the man-made famine in Ukraine that occurred in 1932-1933. This great tragedy continues to cry out to the world for its recognition as a crime against humanity and pleads never to be erased from the memory of the human race. Although the lands and people of Ukraine have suffered famine as a natural phenomenon throughout history, never was such an atrocity purposely engineered and enacted upon our people for political motives. This indeed was as an act of genocide by the government of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.

Пасторальний Лист від Єпископів Украïнськоï Католицькоï Церкви Канади з приводу 75-річчя пам’яті Голодомору — Штучного голоду в Украïні (1932-1933)

Цього року усі, хто є Украïнського походження у цілому світі, готуються відзначити 75 річницю Голодомору—штучного голоду в Украïні в 1932-1933 роках. Ця жахлива подія надалі палко закликає світ признати ций злочин проти людства і благає, щоб цей злочин ніколи не стерся у пам’яті людства. Хоч украïнська земля та ïï нарід не один раз у своïй історіï відчули голод як стихійне лихо, але ніколи раніше такий жорстокий акт проти нашого народу не був навмисно спровокований та виконаний через політичні причини. Це був акт геноциду, придуманий Йосифом Сталіном і виконаний владою Совєтського Союзу.

Nomination as Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton – A Call to Serve

The call to be a bishop is first and foremost a call to serve God and to serve the Church. It is a great joy, honour and privilege; it is also a great responsibility, as those who are already bishops know so well.

Pastoral Letter of the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy in Canada to the Clergy, Religious, Monastics and Faithful : On The Creed and the Filioque

In the year 325, some 318 bishops gathered in Nicaea (present-day Turkey ) for an ecumenical council to discuss matters of great importance to the Church. One of their greatest achievements was the definition of the faith, revealed to them by the Holy Spirit, and composed in the form of a creed. Several years later, in 381, this creed was endorsed by the 150 bishops gathered in a new ecumenical council at Constantinople , notably with a few additions on the Holy Spirit...