You're reading: Pope Benedict XVI approves choice of new head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed and blessed the election of the new head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), according to the official site of the Church.

The newly elected head has vowed before the Synod of Bishops to faithfully perform his duties. The UGCC hasn’t officially announced the name of its new head.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych congratulated the Electoral Synod of Bishops of the UGCC on the election of Bishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk as the new head of the church.

A source close to the church told Interfax-Ukraine a simple majority of participants of the UGCC electoral synod voted for this candidate in Lviv on March 24.

The enthronement of the new head of the UGCC will take place in Kyiv in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on March 27.