Bishop Michael awards Chaplain's Cross to Father Andriy Werbowy

Bishop Michael awarded Father Andriy Werbowy the Military Chaplains Cross during a ceremony at Holy Eucharist Cathedral on October 14. This marks the first time the award, given by the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, has been presented to a priest outside of Ukraine.

Father Werbowy serves as a military chaplain in Canada’s reserve armed forces and is the parish priest for Penticton, Grindrod, and Vernon. The Eparchy of New Westminster requested the honor through Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn at the Department for Chaplaincy in Ukraine to recognize Father Werbowy's 30 years of priestly ministry and his three years of service as a chaplain.

The award was presented during the annual Bishop’s Fundraising Gala, which also served as a farewell event for Bishop Michael before he is scheduled to be enthroned as Metropolitan Archbishop in Winnipeg next month.