Bishop-emeritus John Bura celebrates 50th anniversary of his priesthood today.

February 14, 2021

“You always need time to pray, to reflect. You have to constantly evaluate yourself, what you are doing. Otherwise you fail, you do not progress. Our Church, our Liturgical cycle, provides all the necessary opportunities to do this. You just have to take advantage of them. No exuses.” – bishop John Bura

John Bura was born on June 12, 1944 in Wegeleben, Germany, in the family of Gregory and Mary Bura. After emigration to the United State the family became parishioners of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Jersey City. In 1959 after graduating from middle school John Bura entered Saint Basil Minor Seminary in Stamford, CT. In 1965-1970 he entered St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary and studied theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received his theological bachelor degree.

On December 6, 1970 Rev. Mr. John Bura was ordained deacon by Archbishop Ambrose Senyshyn.

On February 14, 1971 in the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn ordained John

Bura a priest.

On January 3, 2006 the Congregation for the Eastern Churches announced that the Holy Father Benedict XVI blessed the decision of the Synod of the Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and appointed Monsignor John Bura the Auxiliary bishop for the Metropolitan of Philadelphia for Ukrainians. Episcopal Ordination of Most Reverend John Bura took place on February 21, 2006 in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, PA. The principal consecrator was His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, co-consecrators – Most Reverend Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan of Philadelphia and Most Reverend Michael Kuchmiak, CSs.R.

On July 29, 2009, the Holy Father nominated Bishop John as the Apostolic Administrator, sede vacante, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma. and he served in that capacity until 2014.

Pope Francis accepted Bishop John Bura’s resignation on November 15, 2019.

Axios!

Mnohaya Lita!

Thank you for the years of service!