Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Pazak, C.Ss.R, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Byzantine Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary, and has appointed Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Eparchy.
The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on August 23, 2021, by Msgr. Séamus Horgan, chargé d’ affaires, a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in the temporary absence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The Byzantine Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary embraces all Catholics of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.
The Byzantine Eparchy (Diocese) of Phoenix serves Byzantine Catholics living in the Western United States and is open to all Catholics who are seeking a spiritual home. We live and proclaim the Gospel of Our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you looking for a parish home? Maybe the opportunity to take part in some of our social, pastoral, or educational ministries? Or maybe you wish to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church? Come join us as we worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Help us proclaim the Good News here in the West.
His Grace Bishop John Stephen Pazak, C.Ss.R. DD. is the fifth Bishop of the Eparchy of Phoenix.
Born in Gary Indiana, Bishop John entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorist) in 1965. He was ordained a priest on August 27, 1972, and served as a parish priest, rector of St. Vladimir’s College, and superior Redemptorist scholasticate throughout Canada.
Bishop John was appointed Bishop of the Slovak Catholic Eparchy of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Toronto on December 2, 2000, and was consecrated a bishop on February 14, 2001.
Pope Francis named Bishop John the Eparch of the Ruthenian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Protection of Mary in Phoenix on May 7, 2016. As well as the Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Toronto. He was Enthroned as Bishop on the Eparchy of Phoenix on July 20, 2016.
