Ukrainian Catholic seminary established in London

The Eparchy of the Holy Family of London is a diocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, an Eastern Church in full communion with Rome, which serves the faithful across Great Britain, primarily from the Ukrainian diaspora.

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London has established the first Ukrainian Greek Catholic seminary in London.

The Patriarch Lubomyr Husar Seminary is named after Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, who led the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from 2001 to 2011 and catalysed its post-Soviet revival.

The seminary will train students for the priesthood in the traditions of the Ukrainian-Byzantine rite, in partnership with St Mary’s University Twickenham.

Fr David Senyk, who has been appointed rector of the new seminary, explained, “Our seminarians will undertake their academic studies at St Mary’s University Twickenham, alongside their intensive formation within the seminary community.”

The seminary’s curriculum, location and inaugural intake of students are expected to be confirmed later this year.

“The creation of this seminary is a direct response to the growing needs of our Eparchy,” said Bishop Nowakowski.

“By establishing a house of formation here in London, we are investing in the future of our parishes and ensuring that our candidates for the priesthood are prepared to serve within the unique pastoral context of Great Britain.”

Previously, those in the UK seeking to become priests in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church would receive their formation at seminaries in Ukraine or at British seminaries that primarily prepare candidates for ministry in the Latin Rite.

The new seminary is intended to enable candidates for the priesthood to prepare for their ministry within the Ukrainian-Byzantine tradition, in the pastoral and cultural context of Great Britain.

The decree establishing the seminary, formally issued on Palm Sunday, notes the “the growth in the number of the faithful, the expansion of pastoral structures, and the stability of ecclesial life” that mark “the present stage of development of the Eparchy”.

This growth has led to the need for a centre for the formation of the clergy “capable of uniting fidelity to the tradition of the Church sui iuris with suitable preparation for ministry in a multicultural environment”.

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