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A Session of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began at the Vatican

On October 2, 2005 , the Eleventh General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to the Eucharist, began. 250 Catholic bishops from 118 countries, among them cardinals-prefects of Roman Curia dicasteries, have gathered at the Vatican for a three-week session. Other bishops represent Episcopal Conferences, Eastern Catholic Patriarchates and Major Archeparchies, religious orders and congregations.

The Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church will be represented by His Beatitude Lubomyr (Husar)/ the Head of the UGCC, and His Excellence Bishop Sofron (Mudryy), Bishop-emeritus of Ivano-Frankivsk at the Synodal Sessions. Bishop Sofron comes to the Synod in place of His Grace Most Reverend Stefan (Soroka), the Metropolitan of Philadelphia, who was nominated as a participant of the Synod by His Holiness Benedict XVI, but could not participate due to health reasons.

� The Synod allows us to learn about particular issues ( this year it is the Holy Eucharist ), their positive or negative manifestations in the life of the universal community of the Catholic Church ,� His Beatitude Lubomyr commented on the importance of the Synod . �It is undoubtedly a very useful moment, because the Synod is a reflection of life of the whole Church, not just some small part of it. While this Synod has only an advisory purpose since it makes no decisions, in a very authoritative manner it does offer the Holy Father a vision of the Catholic Church as a whole, on all the different continents, - to be able to see the issues in their fullness.�

The Synod began on October 2, with a Mass celebrated at the Vatican Basilica by the Pope together with the participants of the Synodal Sessions. After the Mass, His Holiness Benedict XVI opened the first Session of the Synod. On Sunday, October, 15, at St. Peter's square, His Holiness Benedict XVI will lead a prayer and a meeting with children who will receive their first Holy Communion on this day. On October 23, a Mass will be celebrated there again � to close the Synod of Bishops and to finalize the Year of the Eucharist. On the same day the Pope will proclaim new saints: Blessed Josef Bilczewski , Gaetano Cantanoso , Zygmunt Gorazdowski , Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga , and Felice da Nicosia.

http://www.ugcc.org.ua/eng/press-releases/article;2375/

Metropolitan Basil as head of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh.

Dear Pavloosh:

Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Schott is listed as the leading prelate representing the Ruthenians of the Pittsburgh Metropolia for the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the World Synod of Bishops.


Refer to the official list issued by the Vatican [vatican.va] .

Amado

Why do they even call it the 'Ruthenian' Metropolia anywhere?

What's Ruthenian about it? All I have seen is a push to 'Westernize' and leave anything to do with Rusyn, Ruthenian, or Slavic period out of our churches.

I am not ashamed of my ancestory, it's too bad that others in our church are.

Hello Michael Cerularius,

I don't see it as a matter of shame or pride in ones ancestry.

Since the worship traditions matured in the area where your ancestors came from (and much further afield as well) I can understand your concern about this but the name Ruthenian refers to the ecclesiastical usage, not the people. Anyone can worship according to the Ruthenian rescension, and they should be encouraged to try it.

The best way to reach the public is in the vernacular, as far as I know no one is in a hurry to rub out all of the customs of the Rusyn/Slovak/Hungarian/Ukrainian/Croatian people who form the original core of the church. (Perhaps that was a concern when Elko was in charge I don't know), but I think the Ruthenian church should embrace all people, most importantly because of the Great Commission and secondly because if it does not the church is in danger of imploding in North America.

As far as I can see if a church cannot embrace more and more people, and also grow through the process it probably deserves whatever happens to it.


+T+
Michael

Seamus O' Flaurghty, the Ambassador to the Vatican from the Kingdom of Ruthenia will be representing the Ruthenian people at the Synod.

We Irish are EVERYWHERE!

Slava Isusu Christu, mo cairde!

tri shaol na saol!

[It's so nice to find another Ruthenian-speaker.]

"Most. Rev. Msg. Basil Myron SCHOTT, O.F.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburg of Byzantines, President of the Council of the Ruthene Church (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)"

What is "The Council of the Ruthene Church"?

The "Council of Hierarchs" is the collegial body of bishops proper to Metropolitan Churches like the Ruthenian Church (Pittsburgh Metropolia), as distinguished from the "Synod of Bishops" of Patriarchal and Major Archbishoprics.

The "Council of Hierarchs" is covered from Canon 155 et seq. of the CCEO, particularly Canon 164 et seq.

Amado

Consider yourself lucky. At the stroke ofa pen the Ruthenians ceased to excist here in Oceania. The late Bishop Ivan prashko was previously the Exarch of the Ukrainians and Ruthenians over here. When it came time to be made an Eparchy the bishop told the Holy See that there were no Ruthenians here. The Bishop was of the view Ruthenians were realy Ukrainians who had been under Hungarian rule. However of course their are people here from areas where people identify as Ruthenian. Their self identity simply is not recognised.

It probably won't be long before the Byzantines are all one again. The churches in America are falling apart. Looks like Cardinal Husar wants to be the head of the Kieven-Rusyns? Probably not a bad idea!

Actually, although being a Westerner, I would side with the idea of one united Byzantine Church for the United States, allowing each Church to celebrate after their own usage.
Stephanos I