Pope Francis has just announced that Fr Mykola Bychok CSsR will become the third Eparch of Sts Peter and Paul of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia and New Zealand. He will succeed Bishop Peter Stasiuk CSsR, who has served in the role since 1992.
Fr Bychok, who was born and raised in western Ukraine, studied in Ukraine and Poland. His 15 years of priestly ministry have seen him serve in Ukraine, Russia and - for the past five years - the United States. He will be ordained bishop in Ukraine before coming to Australia to take up his appointment. At just 39, he will become the youngest bishop serving in Australia.
