Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Michael Smolinski CSsR
The dates for the Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop-Elect Michael Smolinski CSsR as Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon have been set for Saturday, 20 January 2024 (Ordination) and Sunday, 21 January 2024 (Installation) in Saskatoon SK. The Rite of Nomination will be on Friday, 19 January 2024. Principal celebrant will be His Beatitude, Patriarch Sviatoslav. Specific times and locations will be finalized following the December 6th meeting.
Notice issued by Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Apostolic Administrator
2 December 2023
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Pope Francis has appointed Very Reverend Michael Smolinski, CSsR, until now Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists in Canada, as Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon. This decision was announced from the Vatican on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Bishop-Elect Smolinski becomes the 6th Eparchial Bishop to minister to the Ukrainian Catholic Faithful in the Province of Saskatchewan. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Bishop-Elect Smolinski served in pastoral ministry in Saskatchewan, as well as in Manitoba. For many years he directed The Welcome Home project for inner city residents in Winnipeg.
Since January 2023, he was Provincial Superior for the combined English-speaking, French-speaking, and Ukrainian Catholic Province of Canada for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer – the Redemptorists. Following the transfer of Bishop Bryan Bayda from Saskatoon to the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada in 2022, the Eparchy of Saskatoon was administered by Metropolitan Archbishop Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg. Plans for the episcopal ordination and installation have not yet been finalized.
PRESS RELEASE by The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, Canada on APPOINTMENT OF BISHOP FOR SASKATOON EPARCHY
