Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Annual Clergy Conference of the Melbourne Eparchy
October 17, 2025
From October 13 to 17, 2025, the clergy of the Melbourne Eparchy gathered in Melbourne for their annual Clergy Conference (Soborchyk). Throughout the week, priests and deacons participated in discussions on current pastoral challenges, shared their experiences of parish ministry, and worked together on plans to improve pastoral care across the Eparchy.
On the evening of the first day, October 13, the participants of the Soborchyk gathered at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul to begin this important fraternal meeting with the common prayer of Vespers.
The next morning, the working sessions began, opened by His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne. He addressed those present with an overview of this year’s Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which took place in Rome from June 30 to July 10, 2025, and was dedicated to the theme, “Pastoral Care of Families in Wartime”.
Bishop Mykola once again presented the Resolutions of the UGCC Synod, which hold special significance and are to be implemented by the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.
Parish administrators presented the outcomes of the Melbourne Eparchy’s Pastoral Plan, approved in February 2025, during the sessions. The group discussed the initiatives that had been successfully implemented and identified areas needing further development and improvement.
One of the important topics discussed at this year’s Soborchyk was the safeguarding of children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
The Soborchyk concluded with a joint celebration of the Divine Liturgy, during which participants gave thanks to God for the gift of shared time, prayer, fraternal collaboration, and fruitful work.
