The Most Reverend Peter Stasiuk, CSsR

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bishop Emeritus, the Most Reverend Peter Stasiuk, CSsR. Bishop Peter, former Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at Holy Family Home in Winnipeg, Canada.

Bishop Peter served our Church and our people with unwavering dedication, pastoral love, and missionary zeal. He was a Redemptorist missionary to the core, a faithful shepherd, and a father to many.

Born in Roblin, Manitoba, Canada, in 1943, Peter Stasiuk entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and was ordained a priest in 1967. His early years of ministry were spent in Canada, where he developed a deep love for the Ukrainian people and the Eastern traditions of the Church. He served at St. Vladimir’s College in Roblin as Prefect of Students and later for twelve years as the Director of the College. He also served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Ituna, Saskatchewan and Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto, Ontario. He encouraged the involvement of young people and the laity in the Church and organized and evangelized them wherever he was.

In 1992, Pope St. John Paul II appointed him as Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. He fulfilled this role faithfully for nearly three decades until his retirement in 2020. During his episcopacy, Bishop Peter made significant contributions to the vitality of our Church. He strengthened parish life across the vast distances of the Eparchy, placed great emphasis on youth ministry, and worked tirelessly to support his clergy. Under his leadership, the Church responded to new waves of migration from Ukraine, ensuring that recent arrivals found a spiritual home and community. He was a passionate advocate for Ukrainian identity, supporting its language, culture, and traditions within the broader Australian society.

Beyond his local ministry, Bishop Peter played an important role in the global Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). He was responsible for youth ministry within the Synod of Bishops and chaired the Synod’s Committee for the Catechism, overseeing the development of the landmark text, Christ Our Pascha.

He was also a strong and consistent voice for the Eastern Catholic Churches within the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), and served as Deputy Chair of Caritas Australia. In recognition of his outstanding service, Bishop Peter was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2012.

Bishop Peter will be missed and remembered by the Redemptorists of the Canadian Province of Redemptorists. Left also to honour Bishop Peter’s memory are his sisters Victoria Woychyshyn and Sylvia Balcaen, brother-in-law Andrew Babicz and sister-in-law Joan Stasiuk, nephews Eugene (Lina) Woychyshyn, Brian (Claudette) Pshebniski, Daniel (Natasha) Balcaen and David Balcaen, nieces Lorna Woychyshyn, Sharon (Miles) Pierce, Beverly (Sung Sik) Kwon, Katherine (Kyle) Kubik, Melanie Balcean and many great nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Katie Stasiuk, brother Orest Stasiuk, sisters Joyce Pshebniski and Sophie Babicz, brothers-in-law Alain Balcaen, Victor Pshebniski and Lorne Woychyshyn.    

The Redemptorists and the family wish to thank the staff at Holy Family Home, the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate and to Dr. Terry Babick and Dr. Andrea Babick for their extraordinary care given to Bishop Peter over the past few months.

Funeral services for the blessed repose of +Bishop Peter Stasiuk will be held at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg. A Priestly Parastas will be celebrated Thursday, August 21, at 7:00 pm. The Requiem Divine Liturgy and Final Farewell Friday, August 22, at 10:00 am. The services will be live-streamed at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on its YouTube channel. A further Divine Liturgy will be served at Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Church in Roblin, Manitoba on Saturday, August 23 at 2:00 pm. Faithful and clergy are welcome to participate in the services.

Following the services in Canada, his remains will be transferred to Australia for interment. The schedule for services and interment in Australia will be announced at a later date.

May Our Lord, whom Bishop Peter served so lovingly, grant him eternal rest in the company of the saints.

Вічная Пам'ять! Eternal Memory!