Cardinal Mykola Bychok, the Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, has delivered a speech at Domus Australia in Rome.

It comes two days after he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis at a consistory.

My Lord, Dear Fathers, Beloved in Christ,

We give thanks to God for all His blessings. I feel honoured to stand today and pray with you and for you in this magnificent chapel of Our Most Holy Lady of Pompei which has now became a spiritual home for all Australians visiting the eternal city.

It was the vision of my predecessor as an Australian Cardinal, George Pell, that brought to fruition the dream of having an Australian Church and Pilgrim Centre here in Rome.

What you may not know that there also a Ukrainian connection to this place. The late Fr. Adrian Ckuj, a priest of our Eparchy and the brother of my Vicar General Fr. Simon, served as Procurator of the Archdiocese of Sydney to facilitate the purchase of this property and the initial stages of its redevelopment. Let us pray for the repose of their souls.

My sincere thanks to the Rector, Fr Joseph, the priests and staff of Domus Australia for making me so welcome here. I would also like to express my appreciation to the ACBC (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference), to the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Melbourne for their generous assistance. To all you who have come tonight especially those who have travelled far my heartfelt thanks.

In Ephesians 1, 4 we read “Before the world was made, he chose us: he chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence”. We are all chosen by God to fulfil His will in everything we do. To live a life of holiness, giving glory to God for all that we have received.

God manifests His will in many ways. For me it is now to serve as a cardinal. This is not an honour but a cross – a cross that I do not carry alone. I am strengthened by the words of the Holy Apostle Paul who writes: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2, 19-20).

We are also strengthened in our calling by the example of the Holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary whose solemnity of Immaculate Conception we have just celebrated.

The blessed Virgin Mary was chosen by God from the moment of Her conception. She is an example to us on how to live our life in the service of God. My whole life and my priesthood have been formed by a deep devotion to the Most Holy Theotokos.

From my earliest childhood I recall hearing about the miracle of Lourdes and the words of our Blessed Mother to St. Bernadette: “I am Immaculate Conception”. The miracle of Fatima has also been important part of my life. The Holy Virgin’s desire that we pray for the conversion of Russia is as important now as it was in 1917.

The rosary has been a central part of my prayer life. As a redemptorist it was presented to me on a day of my clothing in the habit with the words “Brother! Receive the spiritual sword”. The rosary is our spiritual sword but as Our Lady reminded us in Fatima that God’s love is stronger than the world’s hatred. The rosary is a prayer by which we can overcome hatred and fulfil our vocation as messengers of God’s love.

It is this spiritual sword that will help the people of Ukraine to overcome the enemy. It is a power of prayer and the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God that empowers all of us to fight “the good fight” and to make known the love of God in Ukraine, Australia and throughout the world.

Please pray for me that I may faithfully serve the Church and the Holy Father as a cardinal. Your prayers give me great strength to carry this cross.

Please join me in reciting a decade of the holy rosary for peace in Ukraine and the whole world. Most Holy Mother of God save us!

(Image from Ukrainian Catholic website)