Synod of Bishops of UGCC Begins Work to Elect Supreme Archbishop

The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for the Election of the Supreme Archbishop begins its work on 21 March at Patriarch Josef Slipyj Retreat Center in Lviv-Briukhovychi. 40 bishops of UGCC from all over the world came here to attend the event.

All the members of the Synod of Bishops have active votes in the election. Each bishop is entitled to one vote. Voting through an assistant or by sending a letter is prohibited. Only members of the synod, secretary and counting committee can be present in the election room.

Usually, it is necessary to receive two thirds of the votes in order to be elected. The Particular Law of UGCC reduces this requirement to absolute majority after twelve futile votes. When the requirement is reduced to the absolute majority, the number of candidates should be reduced to two ones with the largest number of votes.

The elected person will have two days to accept or reject the choice. Rejection will lead to complete loss of these rights; however, the person can be reelected. The elected bishop will send his own letter to the pope for the approval of the election. After receiving the confirmation, he makes the confession of faith and oath to zealously fulfill his responsibility before the Synod of Bishops. After the proclamation of his election, the enthronement of the new head of the UGCC will be held according to the liturgical books.

Let us remind that at a press conference on February 10 in Kyiv, Patriarch Lubomyr Husar stated that on that day Pope Benedict XVI accepted his abdication of the post of the Supreme Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The head of the UGCC submitted to the pope the request in this regard when he turned 75.