Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok: Most expected that Patriarch Sviatoslav or another metropolitan would be appointed as a cardinal.

Bishop Mykola Bychok will become a cardinal of the Catholic Church

On December 8, Bishop Mykola Bychok, the ruling Archiereus of the Melbourne Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul (Australia), will be proclaimed a cardinal of the Catholic Church. This news came as a surprise to the bishop. He expected that Patriarch Sviatoslav would be the cardinal. Mykola Bychok said this in an interview with 'Glavkom'.

For me, as for many, this appointment was a big surprise. Most expected that either Patriarch Sviatoslav or one of our metropolitans would become a cardinal. But, as we know, the choice of a cardinal is a personal decision of the Pope," noted the bishop.

Mykola Bychok noted that his appointment as a cardinal is "a great sign of hope for our Church and the people of Ukraine." He added that he does not yet fully understand all aspects of this decision.

Why me? This is a question only God knows the answer to. I, for my part, continue to pray and ask: "Why me, Lord?" I believe that this is a great sign of hope for our Church and the people of Ukraine. We do not fully understand all aspects of this decision yet, but maybe in the future, the Lord will reveal more to us," said the bishop.

The bishop said that in the past five years, he met with the Holy Father Francis three times. However, these were not private audiences, but joint ones. He sees in the Holy Father that he is very close to the forgotten, marginalized people. Despite his advanced age, the Pope tries to visit the faithful in various parts of the world. He recently visited Indonesia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea. The Pope is a good shepherd who cares for all, but especially for the lost, most distant sheep.

Let us recall that on December 8, Bishop Mykola Bychok, the ruling Archiereus of the Melbourne Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul (Australia), will be proclaimed a cardinal of the Catholic Church. This decision was made by Pope Francis on October 6. Mykola Bychok will become the youngest cardinal in the world and the youngest in the history of UGCC.