Archbishop Michael Kwiatkowski Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada joyfully announces that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, from the office of Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Winnipeg Archeparchy, and has appointed the Most Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski, currently Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster, as the new Archbishop and Metropolitan of Winnipeg.

The date of Archbishop-elect Kwiatkowski’s enthronement will be announced at a later time. His nomination was first proposed by the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and then confirmed by Pope Leo XIV.

Archbishop-elect Michael Kwiatkowski was born on November 21, 1961, in Hamiota, Manitoba. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 for the Winnipeg Archeparchy. Over the course of his ministry, he served in parishes in Manitoba, England, Italy, and Ukraine, gaining broad pastoral experience and deep familiarity with the life of the Church in both Canada and abroad.

In addition to parish ministry, he carried important responsibilities in church administration and leadership. He served as secretary and chancellor of the Winnipeg Archeparchy, as chancellor of the Patriarchal Curia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, as a judge and head of the Patriarchal Tribunal, and as head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission. He also spent six years as vice-rector and professor of canon law at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Ukraine, contributing to the formation of future clergy and church leaders.

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. His episcopal ordination took place on November 8, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha in Winnipeg, with Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia, and Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton participating in the celebration. His enthronement followed on November 18, 2023, at the Cathedral of the Holy Eucharist in New Westminster.

During his ministry in New Westminster, Bishop Kwiatkowski served the Ukrainian Catholic faithful of British Columbia, Yukon, and part of the Northwest Territories. He expressed gratitude for the clergy and faithful of the eparchy, saying that he greatly valued the opportunity to serve among them and would miss them deeply. He also promised to remember them and his successor in prayer and to continue offering support in every way possible.

The Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada invite the faithful to pray for Archbishop-elect Kwiatkowski as he prepares to begin this new ministry in Winnipeg, and to give thanks for the faithful service of Archbishop Lawrence Huculak.

The Eparchy of Edmonton and Bishop David Motiuk also extend their heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop-elect Michael Kwiatkowski on this joyful appointment.