Homily by Bishop Mykola Bychok for the Funeral Liturgy of Bishop Peter Stasiuk

Homily by Bishop Mykola Bychok for the Funeral Liturgy of Bishop Peter Stasiuk

Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God
1 October 2025

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Your Excellency, Your Grace, Dear Brother Bishops, Reverend Fathers and Deacons, Dear Sisters, My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Today we gather in this holy temple, on the beautiful Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, to commend to the Lord’s eternal embrace our beloved shepherd, Bishop Peter Stasiuk. Providence has arranged that his funeral liturgy should coincide with this feast — a day when the Church remembers that the Theotokos, with outstretched arms, extends her mantle of protection over the faithful. It is under this same mantle that we now entrust Bishop Peter, confident that the Mother of God leads him into the eternal dwelling of her Son.

The image of the Protection — the Virgin spreading her veil over the people of God — speaks to us of maternal care, of intercession, of hope and steadfast love. For more than three decades, Bishop Peter sought to imitate that same care in his episcopal ministry here in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. He dedicated his life to guiding, protecting, and nurturing the flock entrusted to him, ensuring that the Ukrainian Catholic Church remained a vibrant presence on these distant shores.

Before his episcopal service, Bishop Peter lived and ministered as a Redemptorist. The Redemptorist charism — preaching the Good News to the poor and most abandoned — shaped his heart and ministry deeply. His devotion to the icon of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help was central to his spirituality. He prayed before her image often, drawing strength from her gaze and her intercession, and encouraged countless faithful to do the same. Just as the Mother of God holds the Christ Child close while pointing us always toward Him, Bishop Peter desired to bring people close to Christ, trusting always in Mary’s unfailing help.

Bishop Peter was, above all, a man of the Church. He loved her liturgy, her traditions, her theology, her catechism, and above all, her people. His heart burned with a missionary spirit — he worked tirelessly so that our Ukrainian Catholic faithful, whether in bustling cities or remote communities, might know Christ and live their faith with confidence. He gave special attention to our young people, chairing the Synod’s Commission for Youth and encouraging them to embrace their faith with joy. He oversaw the publication of Christ our Pascha, ensuring that catechesis remained alive and relevant in our communities. He also played a vital role in the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, fostering unity among the Eastern Catholic Churches, and served generously as deputy chair of Caritas Australia, bringing the compassion of Christ to those most in need.

As an Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, Bishop Peter never lost sight of his roots. He was proud of his culture and heritage, but he was also deeply committed to building bridges across traditions and communities. He carried the voice of our Church into wider society, always advocating for justice, dignity, and the presence of God in public life. In recognition of his service, the Australian Government honoured him with membership in the Order of Australia — a sign not only of his personal achievements, but of the impact he had on the life of this nation.

And yet, despite his many responsibilities, Bishop Peter remained a pastor. He was approachable, a good listener, often with a gentle humour, but always with a father’s heart. As Pope Francis has reminded us, bishops and priests are called to “smell of the sheep,” to live close to their people and share their lives. Bishop Peter embodied this closeness — he bore the burdens of his people as his own. He knew what it was to trust in God’s providence, and in times of trial, he turned to the Mother of God for strength, just as we do today.

In today’s Gospel, we heard the words of Christ: “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life; he does not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24). These words fill us with hope as we commend Bishop Peter to the Lord. For he listened to Christ’s word, believed in it, and built his entire ministry upon it. The same voice that promised life eternal is the voice that now calls our brother Peter from this earthly life into the fullness of the resurrection.

It is fitting that Bishop Peter will be laid to rest in the crypt of this Cathedral — the spiritual heart of our Eparchy. Here, in the church where he prayed, celebrated the Mysteries, and guided his flock, he will remain close to his people in a new way. His resting place will stand as a lasting reminder of his devotion, his leadership, and his love for the faithful he served so faithfully.

The Scriptures we have heard remind us that our true homeland is in heaven. Saint Paul assures us: “If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with Him.” This is our hope today — that Bishop Peter, who so faithfully served Christ’s Church, now hears the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Master.”

Dear brothers and sisters, grief is natural in the face of death. We will miss Bishop Peter’s presence, his wisdom, his leadership. But our faith assures us that death does not have the final word. The Mother of God, whose protection we celebrate today, points us always to her Son, the conqueror of death, the giver of life eternal. Just as she extended her veil over the faithful of Constantinople centuries ago, today she extends her veil over Bishop Peter, interceding for him before the throne of God.

Let us, then, entrust our beloved Bishop Peter to Christ with confidence. Let us give thanks for his life of service, his witness of faith, and his love for the Church. May the Mother of God of Perpetual Help, whom he loved so dearly, receive him beneath her mantle, and may the Lord grant him eternal rest in the company of the saints.

And let us also take to heart his example. Like him, may we remain faithful to our traditions, generous in our service, courageous in our witness, and filled with hope. Then one day, together with Bishop Peter, we too may rejoice in the eternal kingdom prepared for us by our loving God.

Eternal memory!