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Cardinal nominees announced

International

The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, has been nominated as one of 21 new cardinals to be created at the next consistory in Rome.

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Born in Ternopil, Ukraine, Bishop Mykola, 44, was ordained a priest in May 2005 and bishop in June 2020 in Lviv. He was installed as bishop of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne (Ukrainian) in July 2021.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president and Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe SDB, congratulated Bishop Mykola.

“It is with great joy that the bishops of Australia congratulate Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, on his nomination as one of the new cardinals to be created at the next consistory in Rome on December 8,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

“Since being appointed as the Eparch (bishop) of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, Bishop Mykola has won the affection and admiration not only of his own people but also of the bishops of Australia.

“He is a valued member of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

“As we congratulate him on this new appointment we are reminded again of the terrible suffering of the people of Ukraine.

“This appointment will bring great joy to Ukrainian Catholics here in Australia and indeed throughout the world.

“We unite with them in praying for an end to the war in their homeland and for the establishment of a just peace.”

The consistory will take place before the opening of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope and after the conclusion of the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality in the Vatican.

Pope Francis said the cardinal-elects hail from around the world.

“Their origins express the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth,” he said.

“Their inclusion in the Diocese of Rome also manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world.

“Let’s pray for the new cardinals, that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s holy people.”

With the upcoming consistory, the College of Cardinals will enlarge to 256 Cardinals, 141 of whom will be Cardinal electors.

UK theologian Timothy Radcliffe OP was also nominated as a cardinal.

Cardinals are appointed by the pope for life but eligibility to vote ceases at the age of 80.

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