Bishop Lubomyr Husar installed as exarch of Kyiv-Vyshhorod (07/21/96)

Bishop Lubomyr Husar installed as exarch of Kyiv-Vyshhorod

by Zenon Wasylkevych

KYIV - Shortly after Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, all religions except for the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church had established their proper representation in Kyiv. It was not until recently that, in accordance with the decision of the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic bishops, the Kyiv-Vyshhorod Exarchate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church was established. With the blessing of Pope John Paul II, Bishop Lubomyr Husar was named to fill that important position.

The installation took place on June 2 in the chapel-rotunda located at Askold's Mound (Askoldova Mohyla) at a solemn liturgy at noon. Because the chapel was too small to accommodate the multitude of faithful, the altar was set up at the entrance to the chapel. Bishop Husar was welcomed by a procession headed by an icon of the Blessed Mother and numerous banners. Small children and representatives of the laity greeted him with bread and salt. The numerous clergy formed two rows on both sides of the procession.

The event was attended by the papal nuncio, Cardinal Antonio Franco; Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate; and Ukrainian Catholic Bishops Pavlo Vasylyk, Julian Voronovsky, Vasyl Medvit, Ivan Margitych, Mykhailo Sabryha and Mykhail Koltun.

Personal greetings from the head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Cardinal Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky, were read by Bishop Vasylyk, and the letter establishing the Kyiv-Vyshhorod Exarchate and naming Bishop Husar its exarch was read by the Rev. Ivan Dacko.

During the liturgy Bishop Husar had a brief sermon. After the services Cardinal Franco and Patriarch Filaret spoke briefly, extending their best wishes.

Sunny weather with a light breeze and beautiful responses sung by a Kyiv choir added greatly to the solemnity of the occasion. Television, video cameras and numerous representatives of the media provided full coverage of the event throughout Ukraine.

After the liturgy, special guests were invited to a dinner-banquet at a nearby club. Before the dinner, children and youth under the direction of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate and Basilian Sisters presented a beautiful program. After the dinner the following speakers extended their greetings and best wishes: Bishops Vasylyk and Voronovsky, the Rev. Ivan Shewciw from Australia, the Rev. Ivan Muzychka from Rome and Anatoliy Koval, deputy minister for religious affairs.

This writer extended greetings from Bishop Husar's sister Martha, who could not attend the event, and from the family. He also read greetings from the Ukrainian Patriarchal Society of the United States.

In his concluding remarks, Bishop Husar expressed appreciation to all who attended the ceremony, thanked Almighty God for His graces and asked for everybody's support and cooperation in the future.

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