Pope names Melbourne’s Bishop Mykola Bychok as one of 21 new cardinals

In a historic announcement, Pope Francis has nominated Melbourne’s Bishop Mykola Bychok, Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Sts Peter and Paul, as one of 21 new cardinals to be created at a consistory in Rome on 8 December 2024.

The honour recognises Bishop Bychok’s steadfast dedication to his community, especially during the turbulent times his homeland of Ukraine has faced in recent years. At 44, Bishop Bychok will be the youngest cardinal in this latest group of appointees, underscoring his significant role in the Church, both locally and internationally.

This appointment is a great privilege—not a privilege granted to me personally, but a privilege granted by Pope Francis to the entire Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Catholic Church in Australia.

Responding to the news of his nomination, Bishop Bychok said, ‘I, as many others, have received this news with great surprise. I am certainly feeling excited, because this appointment is a great privilege—not a privilege granted to me personally, but a privilege granted by Pope Francis to the entire Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Catholic Church in Australia.’

Reflecting on the great responsibility being entrusted to him, he said, ‘Knowing the difficult times that our Ukrainian people are going through because of the war, I will continue to inform the Catholic world about what is happening in our land and constantly remind them of Ukraine.’

Bishop Bychok will become the sixth cardinal in the history of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, after Metropolitan Mykhailo Levytskyi (1774–1858), Metropolitan Sylvester Sembratovych (1836–1898), Patriarch Josyf Slipyj (1892–1984), Patriarch Myroslav Ivan Lubachivskyi (1914–2000) and Patriarch Lubomyr Husar (1933–2017).

His elevation to the College of Cardinals is not only a moment of great joy for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia and Oceania, but also marks an important milestone for the broader Australian Church, as Bishop Bychok prepares to become our eighth ever cardinal.

I have witnessed how closely Cardinal-designate Bychok lives after the heart of the Good Shepherd, working tirelessly among the lives of the faithful entrusted to his care.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli warmly welcomed the news, highlighting the significance of the nomination. ‘It is wonderful news and a great joy to hear of Bishop Mykola Bychok’s appointment as Cardinal,’ said Archbishop Comensoli. ‘Since first welcoming and installing him into Sts Peter and Paul in 2021, I have witnessed how closely Cardinal-designate Bychok lives after the heart of the Good Shepherd, working tirelessly among the lives of the faithful entrusted to his care.’

Bishop Bychok’s leadership has been deeply appreciated in Melbourne, where he has ministered to the spiritual needs of Ukrainian Catholics across Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. His nomination as cardinal not only highlights his pastoral commitment but also the significance of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church within the global Catholic communion.

Archbishop Comensoli also reflected on the challenges Bishop Bychok has faced, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has deeply affected his flock. ‘To come to a new country and then to face into the devastation for his peoples that the war against Ukraine has brought has been an enormous challenge,’ he said. ‘Cardinal-designate Bychok has risen to this challenge with dignity and strength.’

Bishop Bychok’s nomination is part of a broader effort by Pope Francis to reflect the breadth of the Church. The 21 new cardinals come from 18 different nations—eight from Europe, five from Latin America, five from Asia, two from Africa and one from North America—representing diverse backgrounds and communities. In his announcement, Pope Francis emphasised the global nature of the Catholic Church, pointing out that the origins of the new cardinals reflect ‘the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth’.

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

The elevation of Bishop Bychok highlights the importance of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, a member of the Byzantine Rite in full communion with Rome. The Ukrainian Church has been a beacon of faith and resilience, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and Bishop Bychok’s leadership in Melbourne reflects this.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), also extended his congratulations to Bishop Bychok. ‘It is with great joy that the bishops of Australia congratulate Bishop Mykola Bychok 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 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.’

Bishop Bychok’s nomination comes at a poignant time for Ukrainian Catholics worldwide. Archbishop Costelloe acknowledged the broader context of this moment, particularly the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine. ‘This appointment will bring great joy to Ukrainian Catholics here in Australia and indeed throughout the world,’ he said. ‘We unite with them in praying for an end to the war in their homeland and for the establishment of a just peace.’

The people of Melbourne offer our prayers, and I offer my own personal prayers and blessings as Cardinal-designate Bychok prepares to take up this new role.

The nomination of Bishop Bychok—who has been a consistent voice of comfort and solidarity with his community as they navigate the pain and uncertainty of the ongoing conflict—marks a significant chapter for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. His background as a native of Ternopil, Ukraine, and his diverse experiences serving in Ukraine, Russia, the United States and now Australia have prepared him for this important role. He was ordained as a priest in 2005 and appointed as Eparch (bishop) of Melbourne in 2021, taking on the spiritual leadership of Ukrainian Catholics in a time of great need.

As he prepares to take up his new role as a cardinal, Bishop Mykola has asked for prayers, ‘so that the Lord may give me the strength and courage to fulfil the vocation entrusted to me by the Holy Church!’

Archbishop Comensoli said, ‘The people of Melbourne offer our prayers, and I offer my own personal prayers and blessings as Cardinal-designate Bychok prepares to take up this new role. We also continue to hold close all those still living under the grave uncertainties and pain of war.’

The December consistory will be a moment of great celebration not only for Bishop Bychok and his fellow cardinals-designate but also for the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the broader Catholic community in Australia. Pope Francis’ selection of 21 new cardinals, ranging from the 99-year-old former nuncio Archbishop Angelo Acerbi to the youngest nominee, Bishop Bychok, underscores the diversity and vitality of the Church today.