Pope creates new Ukrainian eparchy; names Bishop Moskal Parma eparch

PHILADELPHIA - Pope John Paul II has established a new eparchy for Ukrainian Catholics in the United States with its seat in Parma, Ohio, and Bishop Robert M. Moskal will be installed as its first eparch, Apostolic Delegate Pio Laghi announced on Tuesday, December 20.

The new eparchy will have as its cathedral church St. Josaphat's Church, now being built on State Road in Parma. It will include the states of Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina.

The eparchy will be known as the Eparchy of St. Josaphat.

At press time, no date had been set for Bishop Moskal's installation as Parma eparch. For the last two years, Bishop Moskal has served as auxiliary bishop to Metropolitan Stephen Sulyk of the Philadelphia Archeparchy. He was consecrated bishop on October 13, 1981, in Philadelphia.

Born on October 24, 1937, in Carnegie, Pa., Bishop Moskal attended St. Basil's Preparatory School and later St. Basil's College Seminary.

After receiving a bachelor's degree from St. Basil's Seminary, he attended the Catholic University of America and St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, receiving a master's degree in sacred theology.

On March 25, 1963, on the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he was ordained into the priesthood by the late Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn. The Rev. Moskal began his pastoral duties serving the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, first as secretary and later as vice chancellor.

He also established the parish of St. Anne's in Warrington, Pa., and served the Annunciation Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park, a section of Philadelphia.

In 1974, the Rev. Moskal was elevated to the rank of papal chaplain and given the title of monsignor. That year also he was named chancellor of the archeparchy and reassigned to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Philadelphia.

In 1977, Msgr. Moskal was elected to a four-year term as president of the Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics.

During his years serving the Ukrainian Catholic Church he has edited the Ukrainian Catholic weekly The Way, founded two radio programs, served on the board of Ascension Manor Inc. (which provides housing for the elderly), and been a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church's Liturgical Subcommission.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 25, 1983, No. 52, Vol. LI

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