On March 26, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Holy Family Eparchy announced the establishment of the Ukrainian Catholic Seminary named after Patriarch Lubomyr Husar in London, United Kingdom.
This was reported by the UGCC Department for Information.
The bishop’s decree emphasizes that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's presence in the United Kingdom began in the first half of the 20th century. This was due to waves of labor migration and the events of war and persecution that led to the resettlement of many Ukrainians. Initially, spiritual care was provided through apostolic missions and temporary church structures, which eventually developed into established parish communities.
Recognizing the stable presence of the faithful and the need for organized church governance, the Apostolic See established a separate church structure. This later became the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in London, which has full pastoral responsibility.
“The historical development of the diocese reflects its ongoing commitment to preserving and transmitting the liturgical, spiritual, and canonical heritage of the Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition within the diaspora, in close communion with the Mother Church led by the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych,” states the decree.
Until now, candidates for the priesthood in London were primarily formed in seminaries of the UGCC or other Catholic educational institutions. While this approach ensured a solid theological foundation, it complicated the comprehensive preparation needed for ministry in the specific cultural and pastoral context of Great Britain.
As a result, the diocese is now at a new stage of development characterized by an increasing number of faithful, the expansion of pastoral structures, and the stability of church life. This requires an institutional center for the formation of clergy that can effectively blend fidelity to the Church's traditions with adequate preparation for ministry in a multicultural environment.
The decree takes effect on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026.