Artur Olexandrovych Bubnevych (born 22 June 1975) is a Ukrainian-American priest of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church. In 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as eparch of the Ruthenian Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, succeeding John Stephen Pazak.
The Reverend Father Artur Olexandrovych Bubnevych | |
|---|---|
| Eparch-Elect of Phoenix | |
| Church | Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church |
| Metropolis | Pittsburgh |
| Diocese | Phoenix |
| Appointed | 8 November 2024 |
| Predecessor | John Stephen Pazak |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 14 September 2014 by Gerald Nicholas Dino |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 June 1975 |
| Nationality | Ukrainian-American |
| Alma mater | International Theological Institute |
Biography
editEarly life
editBubnevych was born in Perechyn, Ukrainian SSR. In 1998 he graduated from Uzhgorod Greek Catholic Seminary, and received the minor orders up to subdeacon the next year.
Following this, he studied theology at the International Theological Institute in Gaming, Austria where he earned a degree in 2001. Beginning in 2007, he worked with Milan Šašik at the Eparchy of Mukačevo, also ministering to youth and teaching English in the seminary.[1][2]
In 2013, he was invited to the United States by Gerald Dino to serve in a pastoral role. He was ordained to the diaconate on 9 March 2014 and to the priesthood on 14 September of the same year by Dino. [3]
Priesthood
editIn January 2015, Bubnevych was named pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and oversaw significant growth in the population of that parish during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also one of 5 priests from the United States who was selected to attend the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.[4]
He is a supporter of Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War, stating that "It was always my prayer that life in Ukraine would become better and the Ukrainian state would become more Democratic and more pro-Western."[5] His parents, who had lived in Ukraine until 2022, now live in Hungary as refugees.[6]
Episcopacy
editOn 8 November 2024, Bubnevych was appointed eparch of the Ruthenian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix, succeeding John Stephen Pazak.[1] On 28 January 2025, Bubnevych will be consecrated as an eparch.[7]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Bio - Fr Artur". olph. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "History of OLPH". olph. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ CNA. "Byzantine Catholic priest 'overjoyed' to join special Synod meeting". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Schacht, Spencer (2022-02-24). "Albuquerque priest discusses Ukraine crisis". KOB.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Albizu, Breana (2022-03-26). "Albuquerque church raises $30,000 for Ukrainian relief efforts". KOAT. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Eparchy of the Holy Protection of Mary in Phoenix, Office of the Apostolic Administrator" (PDF). Retrieved November 8, 2024.