“I am grateful to the Holy Father and the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church for the confidence instilled in me in appointing me as the fifth Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton,” said His Excellency Bishop David, “and I look forward to serving the Ukrainian Catholic faithful in Alberta.
The installation of Bishop David is tentatively scheduled to take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church, Edmonton, Alberta, by His Grace Lawrence Huculak, osbm, Metropolitan-Archbishop of Winnipeg, in the presence of His Grace, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada.
“For the past five years, I have been privileged to journey spiritually with the faithful of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg as an auxiliary bishop. During this time, I have been impressed by the laity’s strong faith in God and dedication to the mission of the Church. I have delighted in the close collaboration and friendship of the clergy and religious. I am particularly grateful to His Grace, Metropolitan Michael Bzdel, cssr, and His Grace, Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, osbm, for their mentorship and support. I love them all!”
Bishop David was born on January 13, 1962 in Vegreville, Alberta and was ordained to the priesthood on August 21, 1988 for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. He served in several parishes in Alberta following his ordination and was associate rector of the Cathedral of St. Josaphat in Edmonton. Bishop David completed a licentiate in canon law at Saint Paul University in Ottawa and obtained a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. He was Rector of Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Ottawa from 1996 to 2001. On June 11, 2002 in Edmonton, Bishop David was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg and Titular Bishop of Mathara in Numidia.
“As I begin a new chapter in my life, I look forward to the challenge of shepherding the Church. Yet, I do so with some trepidation. You see, as an auxiliary bishop in Winnipeg, the final decision concerning a given matter did not rest with me, but rather with the Metropolitan Michael, and more recently with Metropolitan Lawrence. Things will be different in Edmonton. Yet, I am confident that the advice of the gifted clergy, religious and laity will guide me in my new role.
“Naturally, as a native Albertan, I look forward to returning ‘home’ to reconnecting with family and friends and to revisit some of my childhood memories. At the same time, I recognize that many things have changed over the years; I plan to take the necessary time, especially where they concern my episcopal ministry, to take stock, to listen, and to re-familiarize myself with life in the Church in Edmonton and throughout the province.
“I look forward with great joy to the spiritual re-awakening that is taking place all around us. It’s an exciting time to be alive!”
Bishop David has published several journal articles and authored the book, Eastern Christians in the New World: An Historical and Canonical Study of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada, published by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies and the Faculty of Canon Law at Saint Paul University, Ottawa in 2005. He has also been a member of the senate of Newman Theological College in Edmonton, and a consultor with the Episcopal Commission for Canon Law/Inter-Rite of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Currently, he is a consultor with the Episcopal Commission for Theology.
The Eparchy of Edmonton has a Ukrainian Catholic population of 28,750, 87 parishes and missions, 39 diocesan and religious priests, 4 deacons, and 30 women religious.
www.archeparchy.ca