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Nomination as Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton – A Call to Serve To Serve God – A Great Joy and a Great Responsibility To Serve God – A Great Joy and a Great Responsibility 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. Some five years ago, when I was nominated Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, a newspaper reporter pointed out that, at forty years of age, I was then the youngest Catholic bishop in the world. (Even after five years, I am still among the top fifty youngest Catholic bishops in the world; I imagine this reputation will only be cured by age!). “How do you feel,” the reporter asked, “about the great responsibility being placed upon your shoulders at such a young age?” My first response was “Thanks a lot for bringing this to my attention!,” but instead I said: “For me, the greater challenge remains first and foremost to be a good Christian; if I’m trying to be a good Christian, then the rest will take care of itself.” And that’s how I’ve tried to live out these past years as a young bishop, one day at a time, trying to be a good Christian. Young Timothy – A Personal Model of Strength As for my youthfulness, I take great comfort in young Timothy, to whom Saint Paul addressed several letters in the New Testament. Young Timothy has become for me a model of strength. Let us recall here the words of encouragement Saint Paul offers Timothy in his first letter addressed to him (which the Byzantine Church reads on the Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost – the Sunday of Zacchaeus, someone I can relate to as Zacchaeus too was of short stature, but this didn’t prevent him from se eking out Christ!). “Timothy, my son! You can depend on this as worthy of complete acceptance. This explains why we work and struggle as we do; our hopes are fixed on the living God who is the Saviour of all men, but especially of those who believe. Such are the things you must urge and teach. Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but be a continuing example of love, faith, purity to believers. Until I arrive, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you received when, as a result of prophecy, the presbyters laid their hands on you. Attend to your duties; let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress” (1 Tim 4:9-15). The Church in Saint Paul’s time was experiencing growing pains over the role of women in the Church, social welfare programs, fund-raising techniques, a Christian’s responsibility to society, materialism, order of worship – not unlike the challenges the Church faces today. Timothy, who was serving as pastor of Ephesus, was reserved and timid, which most likely led to his chronic stomach trouble, and given his half-Jewish, half-Gentile ancestry, he doesn’t seem to be the ideal candidate, but Paul is convinced that he’s the right man for the job to face the major troubles brewing in Ephesus, where the faith in a secular city was being challenged. Paul deemed that the time had come for the older churches to organize themselves better and to bring greater order to their worship and outreach programs. Otherwise, he believed they would drift toward division and disagreement. For help in this difficult task, Paul turns to his trusted companion young Timothy. Like Timothy, at times, my youthful disposition tends to weakness, and for this I ask for forgiveness. Yet, like Timothy, may my youthfulness not be something to be looked down upon. Rather, with your prayerful support, may I, like Timothy, be a continuing example of love, faith and purity, devoting myself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching, so that I may better serve God, the Church and you. Many are curious as to how I learned of my appointment as bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton – and they’re not so much interested in knowing about the process of presentation of three candidates by the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church to the Holy Father, who then freely makes the nomination. Rather they want to know about “The Call,” as I affectionately call it. The story goes something like this. “A funny thing happened to me on the way to get my hair cut recently one Saturday morning; well maybe it’s been two months now. Sitting in my car in the parking lot of a shopping mall, my cell phone rang. “At first, I thought it was Metropolitan Lawrence calling – now what? You see on Saturdays after celebrating the Divine Liturgy we usually have breakfast together. This Saturday was different; after Divine Liturgy he boldly exclaimed that he had already eaten. What, my typical menu of poached eggs wasn’t good enough anymore. Metropolitan Michael had looked forward to my cooking every Saturday for four years. Maybe Metropolitan Lawrence had changed his mind afterall, and I – the dedicated auxiliary bishop – would return home at once, only slightly wounded, and prepare a scrumptious feast. “But the voice on the other end sounded rather familiar, even in my parked car in the midst of the busy shopping mall. It was the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Ventura. After the usual exchange of greetings – now you need to understand that it’s not every Saturday that the Apostolic Nuncio tracks you down on your private cell phone – a number I never gave him in the first place – he began with an auspicious, “The Holy Father….” The bishops in the room know that introduction only so well, and it usually spells trouble. “The Holy Father has accepted the wishes of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and….” “This was getting interesting. I turned off the engine to my running car. “The Holy Father has accepted the wishes of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and has appointed you bishop of….” At this point the Apostolic Nuncio stopped, perhaps for dramatic effect, then he continued, “why don’t you just guess? “I just laughed. “ Hawaii? Mexico?” “It was his turn to laugh. “The Holy Father has appointed you bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton. Do you accept?” “The appointment came as a complete surprise. I accepted all the same!” And now I stand before you as the fifth bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton. While having reached only the mid-point of my fifties – for those of you calculating my age, I am forty-five, I proudly claim a unique connection to each of the bishops that have gone before me: Bishop Neil Savaryn, osbm, the founding bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton accepted me into the seminary. Bishop Demetrius Greschuk, not only ordained me to the priesthood, but was truly a spiritual father to me; and he shaped my priesthood into one of love and service. Bishop Myron Daciuk, osbm, provided me an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in Rome, at a time when priests in the eparchy were scarce. And finally, Bishop, now Metropolitan, Lawrence, osbm, blessed my appointment as Rector of Holy Spirit Seminary, where I served for some five years, while teaching canon law at Saint Paul University and the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute. I am grateful to the bishops that faithfully served the Eparchy of Edmonton before me; together may we build upon the spiritual legacy they leave behind. I am grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, for the confidence instilled in me by way of his appointment, and I am delighted in the presence of his representative with us today, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada. I am thankful for the fraternal support of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Bishops, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the ecumenical bishops and leaders, many of whom join us in celebration today. For the past five years, I have been privileged to journey spiritually as an auxiliary bishop with the faithful of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg. During this time, I have been impressed by the laity’s strong faith in God and dedication to the mission of the Church, and I have delighted in the close collaboration and friendship of the clergy and religious. I am particularly grateful to His Grace, Metropolitan Michael Bzdel, cssr, and His Grace, Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, osbm, for their mentorship and support. To the laity, religious and clergy of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg I extend my appreciation and my love. Five years ago, I was a stranger in your midst. You welcomed me. You walked with me. You shaped and molded my episcopal ministry, and if it has borne fruit, it is because of your kindness, patience and love. I am eternally indebted to you, and where I have fallen short in your hopes and expectations, I ask for your forgiveness. To the Eparchy of Edmonton, its faithful, religious and clergy, I am grateful, yet humbled, for the opportunity to serve you as a spiritual leader. Together we comprise the people of God. Each in our own way participate in the priestly, prophetic and royal function of Christ. Each of us are called to fulfill the mission which God entrusts to the Church, namely, to bring the Good News to all peoples. With God’s grace and guidance, I welcome the responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying and shepherding. I also welcome the wisdom that comes from close collaboration with laity, religious and clergy alike, a wisdom which fosters genuine stewardship where the gifts of all are recognized and valued. Allow me to express a special word of thanks to Father Bill Hupalo, who, not once, not twice, but three times has served as Eparchial Administrator for some four years in total. Mind you, he could have saved himself a lot of trouble in the first place had he simply said yes, and taken the job himself. Father, the Eparchy of Edmonton owes you a great deal of gratitude for faithfully guiding the Church in times of smooth sailing and in times of troubled waters. In time, we will find a more meaningful way to express our love and deep appreciation to you Father Bill, “Otets’ Mitrat bez mitru.” For now, accept our humble thanks. Do not plan on going anywhere too far just yet. I for one plan to call upon your counsel, wisdom and support in the months and years to come. May God bless you abundantly for a job well done! To my family I offer my gratitude for their steadfast love, encouragement and support, and for their willingness over the years to share me with a much larger family when the Church called me to graduate studies in Rome, to Holy Spirit Seminary in Ottawa where I served as Rector for five years, and then to Winnipeg as auxiliary bishop for another five years. I look forward to renewing family ties with my parents, brother and sisters and their families, aunts and uncles, cousins and their children and grandchildren, many I have never even met. To the Chancery staff, Olga Hlus and Centralia, the Maria Wojcichowsky and the Organizing Committee, Saint Basil Parish and Cultural Centre, the combined choirs of Saint Josaphat Cathedral, Saint George Parish, and Saint Basil Parish under the capable direction of Melanie Hladunewich-Turgeon, Iryna Tarnawsky, and Elizabeth Anderson, MC’s Very Rev. Michael Kowalchyk and Rev. Gregory Faryna, the Knights of Columbus, the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, the Ukrainian Catholic Youth, Master of Ceremonies Mr. Roman Kravec, parish and organization representatives, government officials – in particular, the Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta, and his wife Marie – guests, and friends: I express my sincere appreciation for your planning, preparation, presence and participation in today’s celebration. Yours is a gift of love – for me, but more importantly for the Church, and for God. Indeed, today’s celebration has very little to do with the welcoming and installation of a new bishop. More importantly, it has do to with our coming together as a family, united in faith, to renew our covenant with God, a God who guides us along the path of truth and righteousness, who gladdens our hearts, who makes us worthy to love, and who grants mercy and salvation to all who place their hope in God. To God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is due all glory, honor and adoration. As I begin a new chapter in my life, I look forward to the challenge of shepherding the Church. Yet, I do so with some trepidation. You see, as an auxiliary bishop in Winnipeg, the final decision concerning a given matter did not rest with me, but rather with the Metropolitan Michael, and more recently with Metropolitan Lawrence. Things will be different in Edmonton. Yet, I am confident that the advice of the gifted clergy, religious and laity will guide me in my new role. Naturally, as a native Albertan, I look forward to returning “home,” where I was born and educated. At the same time, I recognize that many things have changed over the years; I plan to take the necessary time, especially where they concern my episcopal ministry, to take stock, to listen, and to re-familiarize myself with life in the Church in Edmonton and throughout the province. I look forward with great joy to the spiritual re-awakening that is taking place all around us. It is an exciting time to be alive! I wish to say a final word about praying for the hierarchy during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. I must admit that five years ago it took some getting used to hearing “We also pray for the pope, the patriarch, the metropolitan, and for ‘our God-loving Bishop David.’” Initially I thought to myself, “Who is that?” and then a smile would come over my face, “Wow, that’s me. They’re praying for me.” When I was a priest, I used to think that the five times per Divine Liturgy that the faithful pray for the bishops and hierarchy used to be an unnecessary repetition – and I have certainly heard this said by many a faithful, and more than once. But now as one of those bishops on the receiving end of prayers, I am grateful for it is a great gift that provides me – indeed all our bishops, clergy, religious and lay leadership – encouragement and comfort. Please continue! And now to the future. May God bless the Eparchy of Edmonton, the Province of Alberta, and the faithful residents within. Thank you. I love you dearly. Glory be to Jesus Christ |
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