Rachel Evans
As of December 2024, there is only one Australian-based cardinal, Bishop Mykola Bychok, who is also the world's youngest cardinal at 44 years old. He is the eighth cardinal to be chosen from Australia and the first since the death of Cardinal George Pell. Bychok is of Ukrainian origin and serves worshippers in North Melbourne.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Cardinals in Australia | 8 |
| Name of the latest Cardinal | Mykola Bychok |
| Age of the latest Cardinal | 44 |
| Nationality of the latest Cardinal | Ukrainian |
| Rite of the latest Cardinal | Eastern |
| Name of the Cardinal's Bishopry | Eparch of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church |
| Location of the Bishopry | North Melbourne |
| Name of the Previous Cardinal | George Pell |
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What You'll Learn
- Pope Francis appoints Bishop Mykola Bychok as Australia's eighth cardinal
- Bychok is the world's youngest cardinal at 44
- He is the first cardinal from Australia since George Pell
- Bychok is the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia
- Bychok's appointment may signal Pope Francis' desire to move on from Australian bishops connected to Cardinal Pell
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Mykola Bychok as Australia's eighth cardinal
Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Mykola Bychok as Australia's eighth cardinal. Bychok, who is based in Melbourne, is the Catholic church's youngest cardinal at 44 or 45 years old. He is also the first Australian to be made cardinal since George Pell.
Bychok was born in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil and entered a monastery after finishing high school. He was ordained as a priest in 2005 and has served in several countries, including Poland and the US, before moving to Melbourne in 2020. He is currently the Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, one of the largest branches within Catholicism.
Bychok's appointment as cardinal is significant for the Australian Church and the broader Ukrainian Catholic community. It recognises his dedication to his community and his leadership in Melbourne, especially during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli described the appointment as "unexpected but wonderful news", while Bychok himself acknowledged that it was a privilege granted by Pope Francis not just to him personally but to the entire Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Catholic Church in Australia.
As a cardinal, Bychok will be eligible to take part in the conclave, the Vatican's secret process for choosing a new pope. He will be one of about 135 cardinals from around the world who will gather in the Vatican to elect the successor of Pope Francis.
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Bychok is the world's youngest cardinal at 44
As of 2023, there are currently three Catholic cardinals in Australia: George Pell, James Freeman, and Mark Coleridge. The college of cardinals is an important part of the Catholic Church's structure, and their role is to advise the Pope and elect a new pope when necessary. Cardinality is a significant honor and responsibility within the Catholic Church, and these men play a vital role in the Church's leadership. One cardinal, in particular, stands out as the youngest in the world: Bishop Robert W. Byczek, or 'Bishop Bob' as he is affectionately known, was appointed cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003 at a young age of 44.
Bishop Bob, now known as Cardinal Byczek, has had a prominent and dedicated career in the Catholic Church, both in Australia and internationally. Even before his appointment as cardinal, he was actively involved in youth ministry and had a strong commitment to social justice issues. Born and raised in Melbourne, he studied at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and was ordained a priest in 1987. He has held various positions in the church, including Assistant Priest, Diocesan Master of Ceremonies, and Episcopal Vicar for Youth and Young Adults. In 2001, he was consecrated as the Titular Bishop of Benfi, a position he held until his installation as Cardinal.
At 44, Cardinal Byczek was the youngest member of the powerful Vatican congregation when he was appointed. His youth and energy brought a new vitality to the role, and he has been admired for his ability to connect with people of all ages, especially the young. He is often seen as a role model for young people, not only within the Catholic faith but beyond it, promoting values of compassion, community service, and social justice. He has been an advocate for the poor and marginalized, using his position to bring attention to issues of poverty, homelessness, and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
Cardinal Byczek's influence extends beyond Australia, and he has been involved in numerous international projects and initiatives. He has been a strong supporter of interfaith dialogue and has worked closely with religious leaders from other faiths to promote understanding and tolerance. Additionally, he has been an advocate for the environment, speaking out on climate change and the need for sustainable practices. His passion and dedication have inspired many, and he is often sought after as a speaker and advocate, using his platform to bring attention to important social and global issues.
The story of Cardinal Byczek is an inspiring one, and his impact on the Catholic Church and wider community is undeniable. His appointment as cardinal at such a young age demonstrates the recognition of his dedication, forward-thinking, and ability to engage with people from all walks of life. Cardinal Byczek continues to be a prominent figure in Australia and beyond, and his work and influence will no doubt continue to leave a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and its followers.
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He is the first cardinal from Australia since George Pell
George Pell was an Australian cardinal of the Catholic Church. Born on June 8, 1941, he was ordained a priest in 1966 and made a cardinal in 2003. He served as the eighth Archbishop of Sydney, the seventh Archbishop of Melbourne, and an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne. In 2014, he became the first prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy at the Vatican, a position he held until 2019. He also served on the Council of Cardinal Advisers from 2013 to 2018. Pell was the only cardinal from Oceania to participate in the 2013 papal conclave and was thought to be a possible successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
On July 26, 2017, Pell appeared in court to face accusations of sexual abuse, to which he pleaded not guilty. He passed away on January 10, 2023. Pope Francis appointed Cardinal-Designate Bychok as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne in 2020. Bychok is the first cardinal from Australia since George Pell. He is the youngest bishop in Australia and is of Ukrainian descent.
The Catholic Church in Australia has had a significant history, with cardinals like Pell and Bychok playing essential roles in the country's religious landscape. Pell, in particular, had a notable career, serving in various positions within the Church and even advising the Pope. However, his legacy is also marred by the sexual abuse allegations that surfaced in 2017, leading to his court appearance and subsequent defence of his innocence.
Cardinal-Designate Bychok, on the other hand, brings a new chapter to the Australian Catholic Church. His appointment as a cardinal by Pope Francis adds to the diversity of the Church, with his monastic and theological formation in Ukraine and Poland. As the youngest bishop in Australia, he represents a new generation of Catholic leadership in the country.
The announcement of new cardinals by Pope Francis underscores the Church's universality, uniting people from various nations under the Diocese of Rome. Bychok's appointment as cardinal, in particular, highlights the Church's presence in Australia and its commitment to serving the religious needs of its Australian congregation. As the first cardinal from Australia since George Pell, Bychok carries on a legacy of Catholic leadership in the country, navigating the complexities of the modern world while upholding the values and traditions of the Catholic faith.
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Bychok is the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) is an autonomous Eastern Catholic church based in Ukraine. It is the second-largest particular church in the Catholic Church, after the Latin Church. The major archbishop, currently Sviatoslav Shevchuk, presides over the entire Church but is not distinguished with the title of patriarch.
In Australia, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is headed by Cardinal Mykola Bychok, who was born on February 13, 1980, in Ternopil, Ukraine. He joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, popularly known as the Redemptorists, in July 1997. He received his religious training in Ukraine and Poland, obtaining a licentiate in pastoral theology. On August 17, 2003, Bychok took his religious vows, and on May 3, 2005, he was ordained as a priest in the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv. Following his ordination, he served as a missionary at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Prokopyevsk, Russia.
In 2020, Pope Francis appointed Bychok as the Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, Australia, within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. This appointment made him the seventh cardinal from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the third cardinal from the Ternopil region. He also became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals and the sole representative of Australia at the 2025 papal conclave.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has a long history dating back to the 19th century when it was under Polish Catholic domination in what was then Galicia (modern-day western Ukraine and southern Poland). The Austrian rulers granted freedom of worship to the Greek-Catholic Church and removed Polish influence, fostering the development of a strong Ukrainian national character within the church. During the Soviet era, the church flourished in the Ukrainian diaspora, and its head, Cardinal Yosyf Slipyi, played a significant role in advocating for its growth and recognition.
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Bychok's appointment may signal Pope Francis' desire to move on from Australian bishops connected to Cardinal Pell
As of 2025, there are eight Australian cardinals, including the Melbourne bishop, Mykola Bychok, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2024. Bychok is the first Australia-based cardinal since George Pell, and his appointment is seen as an attempt by Pope Francis to move on from Australian bishops connected to Pell, who was acquitted of child sexual abuse charges before his death in 2023 but left a conflicted legacy.
Bychok is the Catholic church's youngest cardinal at 45, and his appointment as a cardinal over other well-known Catholic leaders in Australia, such as the archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, and his Melbourne counterpart, Peter Comensoli, came as a surprise to many. He is also the first Australian to be made cardinal since Pell and only the eighth cardinal from Australia.
Bychok's appointment is seen by many in the church as a rebuff to Fisher and a snub to the Australian Catholic establishment. It is also interpreted as an attempt by Pope Francis to focus on youth and diversity and to create distance between Australia and Cardinal Pell. Bychok's Ukrainian background and his advocacy for Ukraine since the 2022 Russian invasion may have also played a role in his appointment, with Pope Francis speaking to him in Ukrainian during his installation as cardinal.
While Bychok's appointment as cardinal may signal Pope Francis' desire for a break from the past and a move away from Australian bishops connected to Cardinal Pell, it has also resulted in Australia not having an establishment voice in the election of the next pope for the first time in almost 70 years. Bychok, as one of the cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave, will play a role in choosing the next pope, a responsibility he approaches with humility and a commitment to seeking guidance from God.
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Frequently asked questions
There are eight cardinals in Australia as of 2024.
Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mykola Bychok, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leader in Australia, as the eighth cardinal in October 2024.
Bishop Mykola Bychok was 44 years old when he was appointed cardinal, making him the youngest cardinal in the world.
Cardinal George Pell was the previous cardinal in Australia before Bishop Mykola Bychok.
There are 141 cardinal electors worldwide, 79% of whom were appointed by Pope Francis.
