Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The church hosted a Moleben to the Blessed Virgin Mary, led by Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne with Bishop Peter Commensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne, Bishop Bosco Puthur, Ordinary of the Syro-Malabar Church in Australia, Bishop Shane Mackinlay, Ordinary of the Diocese of Sandhurst, Bishop Gregory Bennet, Ordinary of the Diocese of Sale, Bishop Terry Curtin, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Bishop Martin Ash, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Bishop Emeritus Hilton Deakin, priests, deacons and many faithful.
The homily was delivered by Bishop Terry Curtin, who noted: “I stand before you as a Roman Catholic bishop who in 2015 was given the grace to visit Ukraine and greet the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops who were about to gather in synod. Memories remain of churches of vibrant beauty, of liturgies sung with living faith, of warm welcome and hospitality, of intricate needlework and wonderfully decorated eggs; and also, of that other story that had to be told, where Christian faith gave witness as lives were lost and society destroyed under great oppression and persecution. I must admit that in this moment of terrible trial for Ukraine I am hesitant to speak. In Australia we live our lives in relative tranquillity and safety, so what do we know? But our faith calls us forward and we stand together.”
