Bronislaw Bernacki Bishop of the Catholic Odessa-Simferopol Diocese Date of Birth: 30.09.1944 Country: Ukraine

1. Bishop of the Odessa-Simferopol Diocese
2. Early Life and Education
3. Priestly Ministry
4. Episcopal Appointment
5. Episcopal Ministry
6. Leadership in the Catholic Church

Bishop of the Odessa-Simferopol Diocese

Bronisław Bernacki is the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Odessa-Simferopol, based in Odesa, Ukraine.

Early Life and Education

Born in Ukraine, Bernacki studied at the Riga Catholic Seminary. He was ordained as a priest on May 28, 1972, in Riga.

Priestly Ministry

After his ordination, Bernacki served as a parish priest in the town of Bar and neighboring parishes. In 1995, he became the pastor in his home village and the Vicar General of the Kamyanets-Podilskyi Diocese.

Episcopal Appointment

On May 4, 2002, the Holy See announced the creation of the Odessa-Simferopol Diocese, comprising Crimea and several Ukrainian regions. Bernacki was appointed as the first bishop of the newly established diocese. He was consecrated a bishop on July 4, 2002, in Kamyanets-Podilskyi, and installed as Bishop of Odessa-Simferopol on July 13, 2002.

Episcopal Ministry

Bishop Bernacki's episcopal motto is "Through Mary to Jesus." He resides in Odesa and is assisted by Bishop Petro Malchuk (OFM).

Leadership in the Catholic Church

Bernacki is a member of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Ukraine, where he chairs the Commission for the Laity. He is also the initiator and leader of the Interfaith Spiritual Council of Christian Confessions in Odesa and the Odesa region.