Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, head of Ukrainian Catholic Church will convene Winnipeg meeting

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Winnipeg

This is the first time the permanent synod, composed of Husar and four other members of the Ukrainian Catholic Synod of Bishops, will meet in Canada.

"This is a major event in the history and the life of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada and in fact in North America," said Father Ken Nowakowski, press officer to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada.

The permanent synod discusses problems, makes decisions for the Church and usually meets in Ukraine at least four times a year.

Future of the Church

"The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada have invited all of our priests, deacons, subdeacons, wives of clergy, members of our religious and monastic communities and seminarians to come and join us in Winnipeg," said Archbishop Michael Bzdel, metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada.

Nowakowski said the future of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada is bright and positive, and the Winnipeg meetings will discuss the vocation of the Church and what more it can do. "We've been now in Canada for over a 100 years, and our Church is certainly a very alive Church."

Nowakowski pointed out that one of the Church's flagship programs, Welcome Home, is an outreach centre assisting aboriginal people in Winnipeg. He said the Church also runs nursing homes, schools and other forms of outreach.

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