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The old adage "Be careful of what you ask for. You just might get it..." is screaming at me right now.

Hi John. Thanks for your input, though, I am now (through no fault of yours) more confused than ever.

Let me ask this and then leave this issue alone for now - Is the new metropolitan then the highest authority (at least generally speaking) in this country in the Byzantine Church? There is no "bishop's conference" in the Byzantine rite that would be a higher authority than he, is there?

Oh, and one more thing:

The new Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, Basil Schott, will be the head of the "Sui Juris" (self-governing) Byzantine Catholic Church in the USA, which officially is subordinate only to the Pope.

This one threw me a bit. I was under the impression that the Byzantine rite as a whole, throughout the world, would have one leader (patriarch?) under the Pope. Do the metropolitans/bishops/patriarchs of the rite in every country all hold equal authority with each other underneath the Pope?

Thanks again.

Greg

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Mystic ]

Lance,

Thank you. I will do that.

Mike,

Yes, I know. Sorry, I worded that post poorly.

Greg

Actually, the issue is a little more complex depending what country you are from. What makes this more confusing is that when specific bishops are referred to in official documents, the abbreviation "Mons." is used(Italian, Monsignore, French, Monseigneur, literally, "My Lord")(see the Italian vesion of the Vatican press release on page one of this thread when Bishop Basil is referrenced). Thus in countries were the Romance languages are in use "Mons." refers to those in the episcopate. In the English speaking countries "monsignor(s)" refers to the presbyters who have received some form of papal honor.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: bisantino ]

Mystic Greg,

Do not cofuse Rite and Church. Several sui iuris Churches may share the same rite but are seperate jurisdictionally speaking. I offer this brief outline, detailing which Churches use which rite and what dignity the chief hierarch holds. The chief hierarch answers to no one else but the Holy Father.

Byzantine Rite Churches:

Melkite-Patriarch
Ukrainian-Major Archbishop
Romanian-Metropolitan
Ruthenian(USA)-Metropolitan
Ruthenian(Ukraine)-Eparch/Bishop
Croatian-Eparch/Bishop
Slovak-Eparch/Bishop
Hungarian-Eparch/Bishop
Italo-Albanian/Greek-Eparch/Bishop
Greek-Exarch/Bishop
Bulgarian-Exarch/Bishop
Macedonian-Exarch/Bishop
Russian-Exarch/currently without hierarch
Belarusan-Exarch/currently without hierarch

Syrian Rite Churches:

Syriac-Patriarch
Syro-Malankar-Metropolitan

Chaldean Rite Churches:

Chaldean/Assyrian-Patriarch
Syro-Malabar-Major Archbishop

The following Churches all follow the Rite desiganted by their name:

Coptic-Patriarch

Maronite-Patriarch

Armenian-Patriarch

Ethiopian-Metropolitan

+Christ is Risen!
Indeed He is Risen!!

Lance,

Excellent outline! :-)

May our God grant our two new hierarchs many happy, healthy, and holy years and lead and strengthen them well in His holy work! Glory to God! Glory to Him Forever!

God bless you all.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Liz ]

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Liz ]

Mystic,

Lance sort of answers the questions you asked: However, the answer may not be clear. First, there is no such thing as the "Byzantine Church" -- the term "Byzantine" refers to a Rite which is used by 14 Churches (which Lance has listed).

The new Metropolitan is the "top dog" in the Ruthenian Church in the United States. As in the Latin Church the Bishops' Conference does not outweigh the head of the Church, although, unlike the Latin Church, it has more authority and power.

Edward, deacon and sinner.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: FrDeaconEd ]

Hi,

The Lord said to St. Francis "My house is falling down. I want you to rebuild it." We have 3 Franciscans as Hierarchs. It's meant to be. Our Church is going to be just fine.

Nicky's Baba

Actually this is somewhat inaccurate. The offical name, promoted by every Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church I have been to, is the Byzantine Catholic Church. This is the official name of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church. The term "Ruthenian" is minimized in America, except when you want to differentiate yourselves, especially from your brother's and sister's on the other side of the Carpathians, the Ukrainians (Ruthenians too!) It is dishonest (MHO). For if what was important was being Byzantine Catholic, why does the Ruthenian Church in America conitue to promote two Byzantine Churches in Ukraine? When, in fact, it would be more benefical to be part of one Byzantine Catholic Church in Ukraine and the continued effort to seperate yourselves from anything Ukrainian only further alienates the people of Transcarpathia from the society in which they aare a part of.

Why does'nt the Ruthenian Church in America also promote the idea of a "Ruthenian" Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia and other European nations which encompass your conceptual "homeland" Ruthenia?

ALity

May the Holy Spirit dwell within the newly appointed Archbishop of Pittsburgh and bishop-elect of Parma.

May God grant the Church continued spiritual growth and a renewal of our Holy Orthodox traditons.

May God grant us one united Church of Kyiv-Rus, so that we may serve one another in faith, hope and love, witnessing the love of Christ to all nations.

Christ is Risen!

Slava Isusu Christu!

I have a question: were does His Grace Bishop Basil stand on the Orthodox barometer. From a scale of 1-10 how Orthodox would he be? Is he latinized at all - being that he is a Franciscan? Why do you think Rome chose him to be the next Metropolitan for our Church? Will he follow the vision of Metropolitan Judson? These are just a few questions I have. I do not know Bishop Basil that is why I am asking. Thank you.

In Christ,


Robert Horwath

Dear Robert,

Christ is Risen!

I understand your curiousity about our new Metropolitan. However, in my poor opinion, I must ask, if there is a time when such questions are almost inappropriate?

"Why Rome chose him", is a question only Rome can answer, of course. But I think we must presume, that he was chosen because he was the best man for the job!

"Will he share Metropolitan Judson's vision?" He is not Metropolitan Judson, but he will be Metropolitan Basil, and I think we will have to look forward to the time when he will articulate his own vision for our Church, and initiate his own style of leadership.

"How Orthodox is he?" He made a full profession of the Orthodox and Catholic faith when he was ordained a bishop.

If I sound a little irritated by these questions, (and the tone of some of the other posts in this thread), I am sorry.

Would I be out of line (the Administrator may correct me) to suggest that there is a time when we should merely offer the support of our prayers, as these newly appointed leaders take up their duties? This is a difficult time for the Churches, and I dare say these newly appointed leaders need the support of our prayers, more than we need our curiousity satisfied.

Let us allow Bishop Basil, and Archpriest John, to begin their ministry with all our support. And let us keep an open mind, disdaining others' opinions, giving ourselves credit to form our own after a suitable time.

With apologies, for daring to speak so boldly...

Elias

Elias,

No need to apologize, at least to me. I have found these comments a little unseemly myself, and not one that show Catholicism in a very positive light to this Orthodox. I'm more impressed by a spiritual man of God than some-one nitpicking out liturgical "latinisms".

Axios

Dear Friends,

Well, the mystery of the hierachical order of the Churches is even moreso for me now . . .

As for the new Franciscan Hierarchs, I offer up St Francis' blessing:

The Lord bless them and keep them,

The Lord make His Face to shine on them and be gracious unto them,

The Lord lift up His Countenance upon them and grant them Peace!

May our Lord bless them - through the prayers of Our Lady of the Angels and of our Venerable and God-Bearing Father, Francis of Assisi. Amen!

Alex

I hope that Father Elias will excuse me for chiming in, but I can't help my self.

One of my friends is a seminarian for the eparchy of Parma, and knows Bishop Basil well. He has told me on numerous occassions that our new Metropolitan is a great supporter of restoring Eastern traditions. Other evidence that I have seen confirms this.

In short, we are in very good hands!

Anthony

Dear Anthony,

And excuse me for ringing my mission bell here . . .

When I see you ordained a married priest by the new Metropolitan . . .

I'll make a novena to St Francis!!

Alex