Vasyl Semeniuk
Vasyl Semeniuk | |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Ternopil–Zboriv | |
_-_12086599.jpg) Archbishop Semeniuk in 2015 | |
| Native name | Василь Семенюк |
| Province | Ternopil–Zboriv |
| Diocese | Ternopil–Zboriv |
| Installed | 22 December 2011 |
| Term ended | 17 October 2024 |
| Predecessor | (First Metropolitan) |
| Successor | Teodor Martynyuk |
| Other post | Titular Bishop of Castra Severiana (2004–2006) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 22 December 1974 by Volodymyr Sterniuk |
| Consecration | 3 April 2004 by Lubomyr Husar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vasyl Semeniuk 2 August 1949 |
| Residence | Ternopil, Ukraine |
| Alma mater | John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin |
Vasyl Semeniuk (Ukrainian: Василь Семенюк;born 2 August 1949) is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic hierarch, who served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Ternopil–Zboriv from 2011 to 2024.[1]
Biography
Semeniuk was born in the village of Dora (now part of Yaremche), present-day Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.[1] He studied at an underground theological seminary in Lviv from 1969 to 1974 while working as a dispatcher to maintain his clandestine ministry during the Soviet era.[2]
Priesthood
He was ordained to the priesthood on 22 December 1974 by Bishop Volodymyr Sterniuk.[1] During the underground period of the UGCC, he served as a spiritual father for the secret seminary and provided pastoral care to the faithful in the Ternopil Oblast.[3]
Episcopate
On 10 February 2004, Pope John Paul II confirmed his election as Auxiliary Bishop of Ternopil–Zboriv and assigned him the Titular See of Castra Severiana.[1] He was consecrated on 3 April 2004 by Major Archbishop Lubomyr Husar.[1]
In 2006, he was appointed the Eparchial Bishop of the territory. Upon the elevation of the see to a Metropolitan status on 22 December 2011, he became its first Metropolitan Archbishop.[4] During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of approximately 60 churches and the restoration of the eparchial infrastructure.[5]
Retirement
On 17 October 2024, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis accepted his resignation upon reaching the age limit of 75.[3] He was succeeded by Teodor Martynyuk, whose enthronement took place in Ternopil on 8 December 2024.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Cheney, David M. "Archbishop Vasyl Semeniuk [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
- ↑ "UGCC has three new ruling bishops". Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU). 17 October 2024. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
- 1 2 "Three New Ruling Bishops in the UGCC". Official website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
- ↑ "Metropolitan of Lviv of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Enthroned". RISU. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
- 1 2 ""We believe that Ukraine will win and peace will come soon": Emeritus Bishop Vasyl Semeniuk". UGCC. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
External links
Hierarchy, including ecclesiastical circumscriptions | ||||||||||||||||
| Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church |
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| Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church |
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| Episcopal Conference of Ukraine of the Latin Church |
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| Armenian Catholic Church |
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| Apostolic Nunciature |
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- 1949 births
- Living people
- Archbishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
- People from Dora, Nadvirna Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
- John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin alumni
- 21st-century Eastern Catholic bishops
- Laureates of the State Prize of Ukraine in the Field of Architecture
- Bishops of Ternopil–Zboriv
- Bishops appointed by Pope John Paul II