Stefan Soroka (born November 13, 1951) is a Canadian prelate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). He served as Archbishop of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of the UGCC in the United States from 2000 to 2018.[1][2]


Stefan Soroka
Archeparch Emeritus of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia
ChurchUkrainian Greek Catholic Church
MetropolisPhiladelphia
AppointedNovember 29, 2000
InstalledFebruary 27, 2001
RetiredApril 16, 2018
PredecessorStephen Sulyk
SuccessorBorys Gudziak
Previous post(s)Auxiliary Bishop of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg and Titular Bishop of Acrassus (1996-2001)
Orders
OrdinationJune 13, 1982
by Maxim Hermaniuk
ConsecrationJune 13, 1996
by Michael Bzdel, Cornelius Pasichny, and Wolodymyr Paska
Personal details
Born (1951-11-13) November 13, 1951 (age 73)
MottoOne who serves
Styles of
Stefan Soroka
Reference style
Spoken styleHis Grace
Religious styleMetropolitan

He was born to Ivan (1920–1993) and Anna (née Galek, 1920–1973) Soroka in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where his family had immigrated that exact same year. After studying at the Catholic University of America, the University of Manitoba, and St. Josaphat Seminary, Soroka was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Maxim Hermaniuk, C.Ss.R., on June 13, 1982. He then served as Vice-Chancellor (1985–1994) and Chancellor (1994–1996) of Winnipeg, along with doing pastoral work.

On March 29, 1996, Soroka was appointed Titular Bishop of Acarassus and Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General of Winnipeg. He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 13 from Archbishop Michael Bzdel, C.Ss.R., with Bishops Cornelius Pasichny, OSBM, and Wolodymyr Paska serving as co-consecrators, in the Cathedral of Ss. Vladimir and Olga.

Soroka was named the sixth Archbishop of Philadelphia on November 29, 2000, and was installed as such on February 27, 2001. In this capacity, he was the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia, which is in full communion with the Holy See. Pope Francis accepted his resignation for medical reasons on April 16, 2018.[3][4]

He obtained his baccalaureate in theology from the CUA in May 1982, and his master's in social work from the University of Manitoba in May 1973.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia". Ukrarcheparchy.us. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  2. ^ David M. Cheney. "Archbishop Stephen Soroka [Catholic-Hierarchy]". Catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  3. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 16.04.2018" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Ukrainian Archbishop of Philadelphia retires for health reasons". Catholic News Agency. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
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Episcopal succession

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia
2001–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by
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Ukrainian Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg
1996-2001
Succeeded by
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