The event brought together nearly 500 attendees, including clergy, religious, and members of the Ukrainian community, to support the launch of the Family and Life Office, a new initiative designed to assist Ukrainian families facing challenges due to war and emigration.

As part of his visit, Cardinal Bychok also visited the Redemptorist church and community in Toronto, where he shared a meal and discussed his vocation, missionary experiences, and role as one of the youngest cardinals in the College of Cardinals with the confreres.

“Completely Unexpected”

Cardinal Bychok, who currently serves as Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter and Paul in Melbourne, Australia, described his appointment as “completely unexpected.” “My dream was to be a Redemptorist,” he said. “It wasn’t my plan to be a bishop or a cardinal. I was the happiest man in the world fulfilling my vocation as a missionary in Siberia, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, the U.S., and now Australia.” Reflecting on the timing of his appointment, particularly during a period of conflict in Ukraine, he added, “Perhaps God’s reason was that my voice could help bring attention to the suffering of our people. A cardinal’s mission is not only to take part in a conclave, but also to serve as a counselor to the Holy Father. That’s how I understand this calling.”

Formed by Mission

Before his episcopal ministry, Cardinal Bychok spent years as a missionary in Siberia, serving Ukrainian faithful who had been exiled during Soviet times. “We ministered in places where temperatures could drop to minus 50 degrees,” he recalled. “Many people had been deported for their faith or for opposing the regime. We often celebrated the Divine Liturgy in private homes. It was true missionary work — challenging but deeply fulfilling.” These experiences, he said, profoundly shaped his pastoral approach. “Our Church survived as an underground Church for decades. Many of our Redemptorists were martyred or imprisoned. Their faith, lived quietly and courageously, continues to inspire me today.”

A Son of Saint Alphonsus

Speaking about the essence of being a Redemptorist, Cardinal Bychok explained, “To be a Redemptorist means to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, flexible, obedient, and close to people — especially those who are poor in spirit or in material need. St. Alphonsus founded our congregation to serve the most abandoned. A Redemptorist must always stay close to God, and therefore close to people.” Even as a cardinal, he said, he continues to live by these principles: “I remain a Redemptorist at heart. Whenever I travel, I visit Redemptorist communities. They are my brothers. Though my ministry has changed, I am — and will always be — a son of St. Alphonsus.”

Reflections on the College of Cardinals

Cardinal Bychok also reflected on his experience participating in the conclave and interacting with fellow cardinals from around the world. “It was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “Before, I thought cardinals were like figures from another planet — distant and unreachable. But I discovered they are ordinary people with the same struggles and hopes. We spent weeks in general congregations discussing the future of the Church and the kind of pope needed today.” He described recent gatherings of Redemptorist bishops as a vital support. “We met near the Vatican to pray, visit the tomb of St. Alphonsus, and celebrate the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. These meetings remind us that we are not alone. We maintain our Redemptorist spirit even as bishops. Please pray for us, and we will pray for you.”

Solidarity with Ukraine

Speaking about the ongoing war in Ukraine, Cardinal Bychok gave a moving account of the courage shown by both the faithful and the Redemptorist clergy. “Two of our Redemptorist priests — Fathers Bohdan Heleta and Ivan Levytsky — were captured and held for more than a year. We prayed unceasingly for their release, and we are deeply grateful that they are now free, though they still bear the scars of their captivity.” He went on to highlight the Redemptorists’ ministry to those most affected by the conflict: “They serve soldiers, amputees, prisoners, and grieving families. We ask for continued prayers to help us overcome this great evil. I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Redemptorists, to the Catholic Church, and to the Canadian government for their steadfast solidarity with Ukraine. Your support is profoundly felt, and we will never forget it.”

Cardinal Bychok’s visit to Toronto was a testament to the enduring spirit and mission of the Redemptorists. His reflections and experiences brought home the congregation’s calling to be close to God and close to people, especially those most abandoned and in need. He spoke about the courage, dedication, and faithfulness of Redemptorists around the world, from challenging missionary work to standing with communities in times of suffering and persecution. Through their ministry, the Redemptorists continue to live out this charism, offering hope, guidance, and steadfast faith to those they serve.

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE INTERVIEW

Reporter: Cardinal, thank you for your time today. I should mention that your tribute to Bishop Stasiuk will appear in our upcoming September edition. It’s a very moving piece. Let me start by asking — you were one of the youngest ever made cardinals. How has the experience been for you, and how do you feel about it?

Cardinal Bychok: My dream was simply to be a Redemptorist. It was never my plan to become a bishop, let alone a cardinal. I was the happiest man in the world fulfilling my vocation as a Redemptorist priest — serving as a missionary in Siberia, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, the U.S., and now in Australia. So when I received the news of my appointment, it was a complete shock. I asked God, “Why me?” — especially in such a difficult time for Ukraine. Perhaps that was part of His plan: that my voice as a cardinal might help bring attention to the suffering and maybe even contribute to peace.

As you know, a cardinal’s role is not only to participate in the conclave but also to serve as a counselor to the Holy Father. That’s how I see my mission. I was appointed at 44, the youngest in that consistory, while Pope Francis also appointed the oldest — Cardinal Acerbi, who is now 100. I still don’t know why God chose me, but I feel the strong support of both our Church and my Redemptorist confreres. That sustains me in this ministry.

Reporter: Before becoming a cardinal, you served in several countries. What was missionary life like for you? What lessons did you take from it?

Cardinal Bychok: In Ukraine, I served as a parish administrator, and we tried to live out the Redemptorist spirit in our work with parishioners. It was a mission among our own people, different from the traditional idea of preaching to nonbelievers. That said, I did experience that kind of mission in Siberia. After my ordination, my provincial asked if I would be willing to go there. I said, “Yes, why not?” We were based in the city of Prokopievsk, in the Kemerovo region — western Siberia. Many Ukrainians had been deported there in 1947 during Operation “Zapat” (“West” in English). They were punished simply for their faith or for resisting the Soviet regime. Conditions were harsh — bitter cold, frozen soil, and hard labor in the coal mines. Our first Redemptorist missionary there, Father Vasyl Rudka, went to serve these exiled people, followed later by Father Vasyl Spodar, whom I replaced in 2005. We had about ten mission stations, often celebrating the Divine Liturgy in private homes. Only one church existed, in Prokopievsk. It was demanding but deeply fulfilling work — true missionary ministry.

Reporter: That’s remarkable. I’ve read a bit about that history — the hardships faced by people under Soviet rule and how faith sustained them. I imagine those experiences shaped you deeply.

Cardinal Bychok: They did. Our Church went through years of underground existence, and many of our confreres became martyrs. When St. John Paul II visited Ukraine in 2001, he beatified a group of new martyrs of the Ukrainian Catholic Church — among them four Redemptorists: Bishops Vasyl Velychkovsky and Mykola Chernetsky, and Fathers Ivan Ziatyk and Zynon Kovalyk. Many priests secretly ministered at night, working during the day to survive, always pursued by the KGB. I was blessed to have Father Mykhailo Shevchuk as my spiritual mentor — himself a missionary who had been ordained by Bishop Velychkovsky. Through him, I inherited the living memory of the underground Church. We must continue to remember and support Redemptorists today who serve in places of persecution. They are witnesses — confessors of the faith — ready to give their lives for Christ.

Reporter: That’s truly inspiring. When I joined the communications office, I learned about the Redemptorists’ Eastern branch for the first time. I’ve since come to admire your congregation’s history and mission. You mentioned earlier that being a Redemptorist was your dream — what does that mean to you personally?

Cardinal Bychok: To be a Redemptorist means to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit — to be available, flexible, and obedient to both God and one’s superiors. Our founder, St. Alphonsus Liguori, established the congregation to be close to the people — especially the poor, not just materially but spiritually poor. A true Redemptorist stays close to God, and therefore close to the people. That’s the heart of our vocation.

Reporter: Thank you, Cardinal. I grew up knowing the Redemptorists mainly as caretakers of the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help — they’re very well known in the Philippines. Hearing your explanation gives me a much deeper understanding of your mission. Now, as the youngest cardinal, you’ve been part of extraordinary moments in Church history, including the election of the new pope. How was that experience?

Cardinal Bychok: Unforgettable. A year earlier, I could never have imagined being in that position. From the outside, cardinals can seem distant — like figures on another planet. But once I joined them, I realized they are ordinary people with the same struggles and hopes. Before the conclave, we spent about three weeks in general congregations, discussing the future of the Church and the kind of pope needed for our times. Around 185 cardinals took part. I remain deeply grateful to the Redemptorist congregation. I still carry those values and try to visit Redemptorist communities whenever I travel in Australia. They are my brothers. Though my ministry has changed, I am — and will always be — a son of St. Alphonsus. His example helps me every day as a bishop and cardinal, especially when the responsibilities feel overwhelming.

Reporter 2: You mentioned other Redemptorist bishops and cardinals. Could you share more about that connection — perhaps your relationship with Cardinal Joseph Tobin or others who’ve mentored you?

Cardinal Bychok: Yes. Our Father General, Rogerio, recently organized the first meeting of Redemptorist bishops from around the world — from June 23 to 27 this year. It was a tremendous source of support. We gathered near the Vatican to pray together, visit the tomb of St. Alphonsus, and celebrate the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. There were about 30 bishops present, along with our confreres. That time together renewed our sense of fraternity and our shared Redemptorist spirit. Cardinal Tobin also shared his experiences, and I realized how much we all have in common despite serving in different parts of the world. We continue to pray for one another. The Church has called many Redemptorists to become bishops — it’s not easy, but it’s God’s will. We are still Redemptorists at heart, united in prayer and mission.

Reporter: Finally, I’d like to ask about Ukraine. The war continues to cause immense suffering. What message would you like to share with your people?

Cardinal Bychok: Yes, the situation remains very painful. Two of our Redemptorist confreres — Fathers Bohdan Heleta and Ivan Levitsky — were captured by Russian forces and spent about a year and a half in captivity. For a long time, we feared they were dead. We prayed constantly and appealed to the Holy Father for help. Thankfully, they are now free, though they carry the wounds of that ordeal.

Every day, Ukrainians suffer under attacks that target civilians rather than soldiers. The war has gone on far longer than anyone imagined — the full-scale invasion began in 2022, but the conflict truly started in 2014 with the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Our Redemptorists in Ukraine are working tirelessly to support victims — the wounded, amputees, prisoners, and grieving families. Father Bohdan, who endured captivity, now ministers to others who share that trauma. We need your prayers to overcome this evil. I also want to express heartfelt gratitude to the Redemptorists in Canada, to the Catholic Church here, and to the Canadian government for their support. We feel it deeply. Thank you for standing with us — we will never forget it.