Vatican elevates Ukrainian-born bishop to cardinal in support of Ukraine

The Guardian reported the information.

At 44, Ukrainian-born Melbourne bishop Mikola Bychok has become the youngest cardinal and the only Australian resident to hold such a prestigious position in the Catholic Church. Appointed by Pope Francis as one of 21 new cardinals, Bychok will join the College of Cardinals, the influential body that helps decide the next pope.

Bychok currently serves as Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, which is part of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. As a member of the College of Cardinals, he will be one of the 142 eligible electors who participate in the secret conclave held in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pope. This process, usually triggered by the death of a sitting pope, is marked by the symbolic white smoke and ringing bells of St. Peter’s Basilica.

A member of the Redemptorists, an order known for working with marginalized communities, Bychok has had a diverse career. His journey includes missionary work in Siberia, research on youth ministry in Ukrainian parishes, and service as an Australian bishop since 2020. His appointment is seen as a meaningful gesture toward Ukraine as the country continues to resist Russian aggression.

Bychok has been vocal in his criticism of Russia’s invasion, once comparing President Vladimir Putin to King Herod from the Bible, who sought to kill Jesus. He has urged the Australian Catholic Bishops to rally behind Ukraine, highlighting the atrocities committed during the war.

While some critics, like the late Cardinal George Pell, have accused Pope Francis of appointing cardinals with more progressive views, Bychok’s selection aligns with the Pope’s focus on global outreach and advocacy for justice. Pell had previously expressed concerns that the College of Cardinals was being filled with “eccentric nominations” that aligned with Francis’s liberal agenda.

The appointment of Bychok has been widely celebrated by both the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Australian religious leaders. The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash, called it "incredible news," while Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, praised Bychok for earning the respect of both his community and fellow bishops. 

Bychok’s promotion is viewed as a source of pride and hope for Ukrainian Catholics around the world, especially during a time of immense suffering in their homeland. Archbishop Costelloe reflected on this, noting that the appointment would bring joy to Ukrainian Catholics in Australia and beyond, as they continue to pray for peace and justice in Ukraine.