UGCC has a new bishop

He studied philosophy in Krakow (Poland), theology in Tuhiv (Poland) and Innsbruck (Austria), where he received a master's degree.

On Thursday, January 14, 2016, Vatican officials reported that the Holy Father Francis agreed that priest Volodymyr Hrytsii, a teacher of novices in Lviv Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, was elected by the Synod of the UGCC as auxiliary bishop of Lviv Archdiocese of UGCC, giving him the titular seat (Dioecesis Bahannensis).

It is reported by Information Department of the UGCC, citing Vatican Radio.

Biography of Fr Volodymyr Hrutsiy, UGCC.

Born on August 19, 1976 in the city of Dobromyl in Lviv. On August 19, 1994, he entered the Redemptorist novitiate.

On August 19, 1995, he took his first vows.

On 19 August 2000 he took lifelong vows.

On July 12, 2001 he was ordained a priest by Bishop Andriy (Sapelyak).

He studied philosophy in Krakow (Poland), theology in Tuhiv (Poland) and Innsbruck (Austria), where he received a master's degree. The theme of master's work: "Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theology of the Great Sabbath and its understanding by the Ukrainian Church."

After a pastoral year he was sent for continued theological studies to Innsbruck, where in 2008 he received a doctorate in dogmatic theology, in particular, the Sacraments, at a local university. Thesis: “Holy Sacrament of Penance in the light of the Resurrection of Christ.”

While in Austria, he worked and further chaired the Pastoral Consultation Center, which is a joint project of religious congregations and local churches.

In 2009-2013, he held the post of director of studies at the Lviv Province of Redemptorists. Today he is a master of novices.