Holy Synod

Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church

On Friday June 22nd, a Special Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church took place at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral and its Youth Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Synod was held to elect two candidates for the office of Bishop within our Holy Church. Four nominees were put before the Church, Rev. Stanley Bilinski, Rev. Raymond Drada, Rev. Bernard Nowicki, and Rev. Jerzy Rafalko. There were 218 delegates from the Church’s five Dioceses as well as guests who witnessed this solemn and special occasion.

Holy Cross was represented by Fr. Joseph and two lay delegates, Renata Cyman and Richard Daum. Each Nominee for the Office of Bishop spoke, giving his plans for the growth of parishes and expansion of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC). The PNCC has parishes throughout the United States, in Canada, as well as in Poland, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and soon in Germany.

The Church sought the intercession and working of the Holy Spirit during Holy Mass before the Special Synod and before the election. Based on the information presented to the delegates and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Synod body chose Rev. Stanley Bilinski and Rev. Bernard Nowicki as candidates for the office of the Bishop.

Bishop elect, Stanley Bilinski
Bishop elect, Bernard Nowicki

There are two dioceses, Buffalo-Pittsburgh and the Western Diocese, in need of Bishops. The date of the the Bishop elects’ Consecration and their assignment will be announced by the Prime Bishop’s Office.

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News of the XXIII General Synod

218 Delegates attended the 23rd General Synod of Polish National Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Holy Synod was hosted by the PNCC of Canada.

On Tuesday October 5th, our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, was elected as 7th Prime Bishop of the PNCC. Now the Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky was elected by a two-thirds majority of the ordained and lay delegates, including the prime bishop-elect’s father.

Bishop Mikovsky has been bishop of the Central Diocese and pastor of St. Stanislaus Cathedral since 2006. Before becoming bishop, he served as the assistant pastor at St. Stanislaus, the mother church of the PNCC beginning in 1997.

In his new post he will move less than two blocks from the East Locust Street cathedral to the seat of the Polish National Catholic Church on Pittston Avenue.
“I’m overwhelmed,” he said not long after the vote. “When people put trust in you to lead them in God’s field, and in going forward to build up the church, it’s a very humbling experience.”

Also at Synod, the Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski of St. Joseph’s Parish in Davie, Florida was elected candidate for the bishop.

We keep in our prayers retired Prime Bishop Robert Nemkovich, our newly elected Prime Bishop Anthony, and Fr. Senior Paul.

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