WASHINGTON (November 29, 2000) -- Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Archbishop Stephen M. Sulyk and appointed Most Reverend Stephen Soroka as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia for the Ukrainians. Archbishop-designate Soroka has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg of the Ukrainians in Canada.

The Pope appointed as Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon for the Ukrainians in Canada the Most Reverend Michael Wiwchar, CSSR, up to now Bishop of St. Nicholas in Chicago for the Ukrainians.

Pope John Paul accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Walter Paska, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for Ukrainians.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, made the announcements.

Michael Wiwchar, the new Bishop of the Eparchy of Saskatoon, was born May 9, 1932 in Komarno, Manitoba, Canada. After studies at the University of Manitoba and the Redemptorist Seminary in Windsor, Ontario, he was ordained a priest, June 28, 1959. He was appointed Bishop of St. Nicholas in Chicago for Ukrainians on July 2, 1993.

Stephen M. Sulyk was born in Poland, October 2, 1924. He graduated from the Catholic University of America and was ordained a priest for Ukrainians in Philadelphia, June 14, 1952. He was appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians on December 29, 1980.

Walter Pasca was born November 29, 1923, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After studies at Fordham University and the Catholic University of America, he was ordained a priest for Ukrainians in Philadelphia on June 2, 1947. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia for Ukrainians on February 4, 1992.

The jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia includes the District of Columbia, the States of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

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