Photo credits Eparchy of New Westminster.
Below in an unofficial translation for informational purposes only.
On November 18, 2023 the enthronement of the 4th Eparchial Bishop of the Eparchy of New Westminster of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, took place at the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Vancouver (Canada). The new bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in the Province of British Columbia and Yukon Territory in Western Canada was enthroned on his cathedra by Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, OSBM of Winnipeg. Ukrainian Catholic Bishops from across Canada and the United States took part in the proceedings. The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, greeted the new ruling bishop of the New Westminster Eparchy in a letter.
“This event, which has been anticipated by the priests, consecrated persons and laity is a sign of God’s great blessing on our entire Church, for in Your person our very same Lord, Jesus Christ, leans down to our faithful in order that each one of them may be served…” noted His Beatitude Sviatoslav and on behalf of the Synod of Bishops, congratulated Bishop Michael and assured him of their prayers.
Up to the moment of the enthronement of the new bishop of the New Westminster Eparchy, which was established in 1974, the pastoral care of the Eparchy had been with Bishop David Motiuk, Eparch of Edmonton.
“Today, dearest Bishop Michael,” continued His Beatitude, “You lead one of the youngest Eparchies in North America, that stretches for thousands of kilometres and touches two oceans, the Pacific and the Arctic. Across this vast terrain live our faithful, who, having heard the timely Word of the Holy Gospel, remain faithful to Him.”
With gratitude, the Head of the UGCC also mentioned the previous bishops of the New Westminster Diocese: Bishop Jerome Chimy, Bishop Severian Yakymyshyn and Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski. With God’s permission, the Patriarch noted, Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, together with the priests and the faithful, have the honour of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Eparchy in 2024.
Regarding his episcopal ministry, His Beatitude Sviatoslav urged Bishop Michael to pay special attention to the needs of Ukrainian refugees – women and children who ended up in the New Westminster Eparchy because of the war: “Dearest Bishop, You have worked in Ukraine for a long time, you know well the customs and needs of its residents – attach every effort to surround them with paternal love and the attention of the Mother Church.”
“We pray that you will not neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit, which generously descended on you on this important day. We ask the merciful God that you preserve and multiply the gift of holy faith and make every effort to pass it on to your spiritual children, who, with God’s blessing, will be worthy children of their Church and the land of their ancestors,” – affirmed the Head of the UGCC and added: – “We pray that your intention is to be a holy and good bishop, through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, on whose patronage and guardianship you can always safely count, was embodied through your ministry.”
The episcopal consecration (хіротонія) of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski took place on November 8, 2023 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Volodymyr and Olga in Winnipeg (Canada). The Vatican announcement of his nomination to the episcopal see of New Westminster took place on September 24, 2023.
