WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Archbishop Michael Bzdel, who served as metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada for nearly 13 years, died April 3 at his home in Winnipeg. He was 81.

He became metropolitan after his ordination as archbishop March 9, 1993. He served in the position until his retirement in January 2006.

Born to Ukrainian immigrants in Wishart, Saskatchewan, July 21, 1930, Archbishop Bzdel was the 11 of 14 children in his family.