Electoral Synod for new Ukrainian Greek Catholic head begins March 21

The synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is to elect the new major archbishop beginning on March 21 in Lviv. The corresponding decree was by signed Archbishop Ihor Voznyak, the administrator the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, on February 11 in Kyiv.

"All the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, members of the Synod of Bishops, are obliged to participate in the synod," said Bishop Ihor.

According to the administrator of the UGCC, the electoral synod will be held on the basis of norms of canon 128, paragraph 3 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Members of the Synod of Bishops will remain in place until the Holy Father's confirmation and the official proclamation of the new head.

"Today the Synod of Bishops includes 50 bishops from Ukraine and abroad," says secretary of the Synod of Bishops, Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh. "The synod is a legislative body, which consists of bishops exclusively. The synod identifies the internal and external policy of the church, develops structures, and resolves pastoral, ecumenical and educational issues. The Great Synod normally meets once a year," says Bishop Bohdan.

Patriarch Lubomyr Husar resigned a week ago.