Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Pastoral Visit to Ukrainians in the Northern Territory
May 4, 2026
Following the Easter celebrations, Fr Ihor Holovko, Synkel for Clergy Affairs of the Melbourne Eparchy, undertook a ten-day pastoral visit to Ukrainians living in the Northern Territory of Australia. From 21 to 30 April, the priest visited Ukrainian families, celebrated liturgical services, administered the Holy Mysteries, and had the opportunity to meet with faithful who live a considerable distance from Ukrainian communities in other states.
The pastoral visit began in Darwin on Easter Monday. On the very first day, Fr Ihor celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism at St Francis of Assisi Church in Humpty Doo for the child of a Ukrainian family, Joseph and Yuliia, who now live in Darwin.
One of the significant moments of the visit was an official meeting between representatives of the Ukrainian community of the Northern Territory and the Bishop of the Diocese of Darwin, Most Reverend Charles Gauci. The meeting was attended by Fr Ihor Holovko, President of the Ukrainian Community of the Northern Territory Tanya Hoffman, and Vice-President Iryna Vasylkova. During the meeting, Bishop Charles, as well as his predecessor Bishop Eugene Hurley, were presented with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their longstanding support of the Ukrainian community and their assistance in fostering the pastoral ministry of Ukrainian priests in Darwin.
On Sunday, Fr Ihor celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the blessing of Easter baskets. Following the service, the Ukrainian community organised a festive gathering, during which its representatives expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to receive regular spiritual care and shared their hope that pastoral visits by a Ukrainian priest would take place more frequently.
A particularly meaningful part of the mission was the journey to the town of Nhulunbuy, located on the ocean coast in the eastern part of the Northern Territory. It was there that Fr Ihor was able to find and visit Mr Ivan — a Ukrainian originally from the Poltava region, who left his homeland as a five-year-old child, fleeing Soviet occupation together with his family. After moving to Australia, he spent most of his life far from Ukrainian communities, yet he never lost his love for his people and his homeland.
This year, Mr Ivan celebrated his 90th birthday. Despite his advanced age, he continues to follow events in Ukraine closely, takes an interest in its history, reads books and preserves Ukrainian traditions. The meeting became an opportunity not only for shared prayer but also for a heartfelt conversation about his difficult life journey, his memories of his homeland and the faith that has accompanied him throughout his life.
Reflecting on the mission, Fr Ihor said that every such journey is a unique experience of service, because one never knows whom the Lord will place in one’s path and who may need most the words of support or the presence of a priest. For this reason, he said, missionary service is a response to Christ’s call and to the Church’s vocation to be close to people regardless of distance.
Fr Ihor also expressed his gratitude to Mykola Cardinal Bychok for his constant support of missionary service within the Melbourne Eparchy. From the beginning of his ministry in Australia, the Eparch has repeatedly emphasised that the Church is called to seek out every person, and that even if reaching just one faithful person requires travelling thousands of kilometres, it is worth doing. Special words of gratitude were addressed to the Bishops of the Diocese of Darwin — Bishop Eugene Hurley and Bishop Charles Gauci — as well as to the parish priest of Nhulunbuy, Fr Jimmy O’Hare, for their openness, hospitality and support of Ukrainian pastoral ministry.
