Basil H. Losten


Basil Harry Losten

D.D., S.T.L., LL.D (Hon.)
Eparch Emeritus of Stamford
ChurchUkrainian Greek Catholic Church
DioceseUkrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford
AppointedSeptember 20, 1977
InstalledDecember 7, 1977
RetiredJanuary 3, 2006
PredecessorJoseph M. Schmondiuk
SuccessorPaul Patrick Chomnycky
Previous post
Orders
OrdinationJune 10, 1957
by Konštantín Bohačevskyj
ConsecrationMay 25, 1971
by Ambrose Senyshyn, Jaroslav Gabro and Michael Dudick
Personal details
Born(1930-05-11)May 11, 1930
DiedSeptember 15, 2024(2024-09-15) (aged 94)
Styles of
Basil Harry Losten
Reference style
Spoken styleHis Grace
Religious styleBishop

Basil Harry Losten (May 11, 1930 – September 15, 2024) was a bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He was until his death Bishop Emeritus of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, Connecticut. He was succeeded by Bishop Paul Patrick Chomnycky.

Early life, family and education

Losten was born in Chesapeake City, Maryland. He attended St. Basil School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then the Ukrainian Catholic seminary in Stamford, Connecticut, graduating from its St. Basil College Seminary with a bachelor of arts in philosophy. In 1957, he completed his graduate work in theology at the Catholic University of America.[1]

Priesthood

On June 10, 1957, Losten was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky. His first assignment included work as chancery secretary for the Philadelphia Archdiocese as well as working in several Philadelphia parishes.[1] In 1962, he was named personal secretary to Archbishop-Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn. This position led him to various posts within the eparchy, including comptroller and consultor, president of Ascension Manor (a senior citizens complex—a project he initiated), director of the Archdiocesan Insurance Commission, and a member of the Archdiocesan Building Commission.

In 1968, Pope Paul VI raised him to the rank of papal chamberlain. He was nominated to the episcopacy on March 23, 1971, and was consecrated on May 25, 1971. He was named auxiliary to the Ukrainian Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in 1976, during Senyshyn’s failing health, Pope Paul VI appointed Losten apostolic administrator in charge of diocesan affairs.[1] In September 1977, Losten was named Bishop of Stamford, succeeding Joseph M. Schmondiuk. The diocese comprises New York State and all of the New England states. He retired on January 3, 2006, and was succeeded by Paul Chomnycky.[1]

Personal life and demise

Losten died after a short illness at a hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, on September 15, 2024. He was 94 years old.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Bishop Losten appointed emissary for Church development in Ukraine". The Ukrainian Weekly. July 1, 1990.
  2. ^ "Відійшов у вічність владика Василь Лостен" [Bishop Vasyl Losten passed away]. ugcc.ua (in Ukrainian). Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. September 15, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2025.

Sources

  • Jaksic, Vesna (February 21, 2006). "A new leader: Bishop installed as head of Ukrainian Catholics in area". The Advocate. Stamford, Connecticut.
  • "Bishop Losten appointed emissary for Church development in Ukraine". Ukrainian Weekly. July 1, 1990.
  • "Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten, builder of the Church in the U.S. and Ukraine". Ukrainian Weekly. 2006.

Episcopal succession