Bishop Michael, today you have received in the fullness of the Sacrament of the Priesthood of Christ the same power of the Holy Spirit’s grace that people once sought in Galilee and are seeking now in Saskatchewan! I ask you: accept it in humility and fullness. With these words, the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, addressed Bishop Michael Smolinski during his consecration as a bishop in Saskatoon, Canada.
In his sermon, His Beatitude, Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to the audience for their hospitality, generosity, work, prayers, and efforts aimed at Ukraine’s victory over the Russian occupier. Furthermore, he emphasized that today’s event of the episcopal consecration is a moment of unity of the Mother Church in Ukraine with the priests, clergy, and laity in Canada: “The birth of a new Ukrainian bishop in Canada is a beacon of hope for the entire Ukrainian people, who today are paying the highest price for freedom and the very right to exist in their native land.”
Addressing the newly consecrated bishop, His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that Bishop Michael received today in the fullness of the Sacrament of the Priesthood of Christ the same power of the Holy Spirit’s grace, that people once sought in Galilee and are seeking now in Saskatchewan.
According to the Primate, the power of the Holy Spirit’s grace will make the bishop blessed and contented and grant him joy in the Holy Spirit.
“Thank you for believing and fully trusting the Lord as a Redemptorist monk and priest. I am grateful to you for not being afraid to accept God’s power, which called you to the episcopal ministry and today gives birth to you as a shepherd who will sanctify, teach, and lead God’s people in the image and likeness of Christ Himself,” the Patriarch addressed Bishop Michael.
At the end of the Liturgy, the representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Canada, Monsignor Antons Prikulis, spoke on behalf of Pope Francis and congratulated the newly appointed bishop: “I convey the greetings and love of our Holy Father Francis to you, Your Eminence, and to the entire Diocese of Saskatoon.”
Watch on YouTube:
Bishop Michael Smolinski then delivered a gratitude speech. The new bishop of the Saskatoon Eparchy of the UGCC thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the bishops, and all the clergy who gathered for the event. Bishop Michael also thanked his parents, mother, Iris, and late father, Morris.
On January 21, at 10:00 AM local time, His Beatitude Sviatoslav will install the sixth bishop of the Saskatoon Eparchy, Bishop Michael Smolinski, at St. George’s Cathedral in Saskatoon.
(Courtesy: ugcc.ua)
