Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, is among those expected to attend this week's gathering of bishops in Manitoba this week.Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, is among those expected to attend this week's gathering of bishops in Manitoba this week. (Greek Catholic Church Press Service/Associated Press)

About 40 Ukrainian Catholic bishops from around the world are meeting this week in Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, Man., marking the first such gathering to be held in Canada.

Among those attending the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's Synod of Bishops this week is Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the global church's leader.

"They will be here for up to 10 days, meeting with themselves and meeting with our congregations in Manitoba," Nestor Budyk, whose area congregation is preparing for the bishops' visit, told CBC News.

"It's going to be an exciting week for us."

Budyk said Winnipeg has been chosen to host the major gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Ukrainian bishop in Canada.