Mykola Simkaylo

Mykola Simkaylo (also Mykola Simkajlo; Ukrainian Микола Сімкайло; born November 21, 1952 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, † May 21 2013 in Kolomyja ) was a bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and head of the eparchy Kolomyia - Chernivtsi in Ukraine.

Life

Parents Mykola Simkaylos, Michael and Anne Simkaylo, lived at the time of his birth as exiled Ukrainians in the city of Karaganda. In 1963 the family returned to their home country Ukraine. From 1963 to 1967, the young Mykola attended primary school. After that, he was until 1969 at a secondary school and then began studying engineering at the Technical School Number 1 in Ivano- Frankivsk.

The family was in close contact with the first Bishop Pavlo Wasylyk of Kolomyia - Chernivtsi and experienced in Ukraine, the underground church. After the serve of military service Mykola Simkaylo began at a secret seminary, with the study of theology. On May 15, 1974 initiated him Pavlo Wasylyk priest. As a young priest he worked pastorally in the Ukrainian Church and worked as an underground priest in Ivano -Frankivsk, Ternopil and Lviv.

Between 1987-1990 Mykola Simkaylo was known by the public advocacy for the legalization of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine. He was, together with Volodymyr Wijtyschyn, member of the delegation in Moscow and participated from 19 May to 24 November 1989 in a hunger strike. To attend the public celebration of Mass on 1 October 1989 in Ivano -Frankivsk, he was imprisoned for 15 days. On 28 January 1990 he was part of the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian bishops and directed the official key handover for the bishop 's seat. In 1990 he became head of Caritas in the Ukraine. Between 1991 and 1995 he expanded his studies in theology.

In October 2004, the Ukrainian Synod elected him Bishop of Kolomyia - Chernivtsi. On 2 June 2005 he received the papal appointment as Bishop of Kolomyia - Chernivtsi and was ordained in Ivano-Frankivsk on 12 July 2005 to the bishop. The consecration led Ljubomyr Cardinal Husar, as co-consecrators assisted the Archbishops January Martyniak and Volodymyr Wijtyschyn and Bishop Sofron Stefan Mudry, OSBM. The solemn inauguration in Kolomyia - Chernivtsi on 13 July 2005. Bishop Mykola Simkylo was Mitkonsekrator at Taras Senkiw OM titular bishop of Siccenna ( Auxiliary Bishop of Stry ).

Bishop Mikolay Simkaylo died on 21 May 2013, a hospital in Kolomyia of heart failure.