Episcopal consecration of Archbishop Nil Lushchak
First consecration of Transcarpathia-born bishop after the World War II
On January 13 in Uzhhorod Greek Catholic Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross episcopal consecration of Archbishop Nil Lushchak, Ordo Fratrum Minorum, Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Mukacheve. Chief Prelate was Archbishop Milan Shashik, Congregatio Missionis, Eparch of Mukacheve and assistant prelates were Archbishop William Skurla, Metropolitan of Pittsburgh (USA) and Archbishop Cyril Vasil, Society of Jesus, Secretary of the Congregation for Eastern Churches.
Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Archbishop Thomas Edward Gullickson, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Catholic bishops of two ceremonies from different parts of Ukraine, bishops from Vatican, the USA, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania came to the Christmas divine service in Uzhhorod. The liturgy was attended by more than 200 priests, monks, and nuncios.
This event is very important for church life of Transcarpathia because it was the first solemn consecration of Transcarpathia-born bishop after the World War II and the first consecration in the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross for the past 100 years.
The Day’s FACT FILE
On November 19, 2012 the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI appointed Reverend Father Nil Yurii Lushchak, Ordo Fratrum Minorum, teacher of the Uzhhorod Theodore Romzha Greek Catholic Theological Academy, titular bishop of Flenucleta and Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Mukacheve.
The newly appointed Bishop was born on May 22, 1973 in Uzhhorod to the family of Greek Catholics. After receiving proper formation in Uzhhorod Greek Catholic Theological Seminary, on July 2, 1996 he was ordained to the priesthood and then ministered in various parishes of the Eparchy of Mukacheve.
At first he served at the Uzhhorod Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and since 1998 he served as a parish priest in the village of Perechyn. At the same time he served at Greek Catholic parishes in Perechyn raion.
From 2004 until 2008 Father Yurii studied at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome where he earned the degree of licentiate in philosophy. After graduation he served as a priest in Uzhhorod Theodore Romzha Greek Catholic Theological Academy and began teaching philosophy.
In 2009 he started his novitiate with the rank of Ordo Fratrum Minorum of Byzantine ceremony in Ternopil, where he received the monastic name Nil and in 2010 he gave first temporary vows. On September 3, 2012 he was in monk community of Ordo Fratrum Minorum in the village of Nyzhnii Bystry, Khust raion.
