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http://www.zenit.org/article-21679?l=englishA 1st in 70 Years: Ukrainian Bishops' 5-Yearly Visit
Benedict XVI Welcomes Churches' Renewed Freedom
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 1, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI welcomed bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church of Ukraine, expressing his joy that their Churches have "rediscovered freedom."
The bishops visited the Pope in the Vatican today for their five-yearly visit, the first they have been able to make in 70 years.
The Holy Father expressed his joy at having the opportunity to welcome the bishops, who had thus far been prevented by "serious and objective reasons" from making this joint pilgrimage to the Holy See.
"Now that your Churches have rediscovered their complete freedom," he said, "you are here to represent your communities, reborn and vibrant in the faith, which have never ceased to feel their full communion with Peter's Successor. You are welcome, dear brothers, in this house in which intense and incessant prayers have always been said for the beloved Greek-Catholic Church of Ukraine."
Referring to the bishops' reports on the situation in their country, the Pontiff said he had noted with interest their commitment "to constantly promote, consolidate and verify unity and collaboration within your communities, so as to be able to meet the challenges that face you as pastors and that are the focus of your concerns and your pastoral programs."
Priests' role
Benedict XVI praised the prelates' "generous efforts and tireless testimony" in their dealings "with your people and the Church," reminding them that in their missionary and pastoral duties "priests are of indispensable assistance." Hence, the Pope invited the bishops to ensure that priests, "in the various initiatives of 'aggiornamento,' do not follow the novelties of the world but present society with the responses that only Christ can give to the hopes for justice and peace in the human heart."
The Holy Father also stressed the importance of making increased efforts to provide priests with courses of spiritual exercises, formation and theological and pastoral renewal, "if possible also in collaboration with the Latin episcopate, each respecting its own traditions. It cannot be denied that such collaboration between the two rites would lead to greater harmony of heart among those who serve the one Church."
"I am certain that, with such an inward attitude, any misunderstandings will be more easily resolved, in the awareness that both rites belong to the one Catholic community and that both have full and equal citizenship in the one Ukrainian people," he added. In this context, the Pontiff recommended that the Greek-rite prelates "meet regularly, for example once a year, with the Latin bishops."
The Holy Father then went on to consider the difficulties faced by Ukrainian bishops "as regards the responsible obedience of male and female religious, and their cooperation in the needs of the Church. With the magnanimity of pastors and the patience of fathers, exhort these brothers and sisters tirelessly to defend the 'non-secular' nature of their vocation" and "faithfully to observe their vows [...] so they can provide the Church with the particular testimony that is asked of them."
On the subject of ecumenism, the Bishop of Rome recognized that "real and objective obstacles persist. However," he said, "it is important not to lose heart in the face of the difficulties, but to continue along the journey that began with prayer and patient charity." He also noted how, "for centuries in Ukraine, Orthodox and Catholics have sought to create a daily, humble and serene dialogue that embraces many aspects of life."
"Before anything else, what must be promoted is the ecumenism of love" which, the Pontiff said, "accompanied by coherent actions, creates trust and causes hearts and eyes to open. By its nature, charity promotes and illuminates the dialogue of truth."
Benedict XVI concluded his talk by giving thanks to God "for the rebirth of your Church after the dramatic period of persecution. On this occasion I feel the need to assure you that the Pope carries you all in his heart, he accompanies you affectionately and supports you in your difficult mission. Many years to our UGCC hierarchy. FDRLB
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http://www.zenit.org/article-21679?l=englishBenedict XVI welcomed bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church of Ukraine, expressing his joy that their Churches have "rediscovered freedom."
The bishops visited the Pope in the Vatican today for their five-yearly visit, the first they have been able to make in 70 years.
The Holy Father expressed his joy at having the opportunity to welcome the bishops, who had thus far been prevented by "serious and objective reasons" from making this joint pilgrimage to the Holy See. Many years to our UGCC hierarchy. FDRLB Thanks be to God!
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Great words from our holy and ecumenical Pontiff!
Alexis
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I don't like the Pope's remark about the importance of making increased efforts to provide priests with courses of spiritual exercises, formation and theological and pastoral renewal, "if possible also in collaboration with the Latin episcopate, each respecting its own traditions. It cannot be denied that such collaboration between the two rites would lead to greater harmony of heart among those who serve the one Church."
That's like saying that the Ukrainian bishops aren't doing their job.
And WHY are they going to Rome to report to the pope in the ad lumina visit? WHY? Why aren't these bishops making a visit to Husar?
It seems Rome still has Ukrainian Churches on a short leash. It seems that UGCC is never really free from Rome's oppression and control. Shame.
SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine
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And WHY are they going to Rome to report to the pope in the ad lumina visit? WHY? Why aren't these bishops making a visit to Husar? Who said they did not? It isn't necessarily an either/or. It seems Rome still has Ukrainian Churches on a short leash. It seems that UGCC is never really free from Rome's oppression and control. Shame. As has been noted, the union agreement was a bilateral one. No one keeps the UGCC in place, some come, some go. Couching it in terms of "oppression and control" in light of the history of the past few decades, and the very willing fashion in which a unia - that could have been left well enough alone as dead - was returned to with vigor and enthusiasm... I don't know that I feel comfortable calling them oppressed and controlled. If for no other reason than what does that say about them which ran back to Roman "control & oppression" in the wake of years where those two terms better fit.
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Perhaps the Holy Father was giving an opportunity for the Latins to learn something from their Byzantine brothers?
It seems that a reintroduction in Patristics would be helpful to some of the Latin hierarchs and who better to teach that in Ukraine than faithful Easterners.
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Dear spDundas,
"It's like saying the UGCC bishops aren't doing their job."
And your point is . . .?
Alex
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Alex,
My point is...why is another Bishop in another jurisdiction giving instructions to another bishops in another jurisdiction what they should do with their priests.
I have the impression that there is an indirect implication that the Byzantine bishops aren't doing their jobs...and if they aren't, then that's not the Pope's place to say it...it's Husar's responsibility to make such statment. That's my opinion.
SPDundas
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If one understands the role of the Papacy in the Church Universal as the Church Universal understands that role, in this instance the Bishop of Rome is seen fulfilling the Petrine ministry. He is confirming the faith of the Churches which are in communion with the See of Peter.
The "ad limina" (trans: "To the Threshold of the Apostles") visits of the world's bishops to Rome is an ancient custom - but please don't ask me to state dates! The tradition is that during this visit (every five years) the bishop meets with the Holy Father and visits the tombs of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This is the tradition that the Ukrainian Greek Catholic hierarchy just fulfilled.
On these visits the Pope will often commend his brother bishops for the excellent work they are doing in spreading the Gospel and in handing on the Faith.
During these visits, the Pope may fulfill his duty by admonishing his brother bishops in areas which may need renewal. Imagine the discussions which took place during such visits in the 1970s and 80s specifically with certain American bishops!)
Spdundas, you hit the nail on the head with the question of whether this could be seen as an indictment of 'not doing one's job.' However, if we read this news item in plain language and with a lens charity and benefit-of-doubt, we can simply glean from it that the Holy Father is merely commending and encouraging, not so much scolding.
Think about some of the areas of tension which have been discussed, on this very board, about some problems in Ukraine and Poland where Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics have conflicts. Many of these conflicts could really be avoided if the parties involved prayed together as brother clergy! This is the beauty of the Pope's words: He is commending his brother bishops to work with other brother bishops of a different Church and liturgical custom, that they might grow in mutual understanding and love - a Communion of Love!
I can really see how the pope-as-ecclesiologist is bringing out the true nature of the Church as a Communion of Churches in his statement to Cardinal Husar and the UGCC bishops. Read the Holy Father's work Called to Communionto see how this beautiful theological principle, strongly put forth in Vatican II's Constitution Lumen Gentium, is at work in this instant. This is not so much as crossing jurisdiction but more an example of celebrating communion.
Is it Husar's responsibility to make these comments? Absolutely! Is it the Bishop of Rome's responsibility to nevertheless encourage the head of a Church with whom he is in communion? Absolutely!
Like Logos-Alexis said, these are "great words from our holy and ecumenical pontiff!"
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Gentlemen - a little more courtesy if you please.
You are referring , I think , to our Major Archbishop Lubomyr Cardinal Husar - though we prefer to think of him as our Ptriarch and indeed he is Commemorated as such in every DL to which I have been.
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Hello,
The reason I didn't use the word "Patriarch" in my posts is because Rome won't seem to recognize it or accept it...so that was my emphasis. I should have use "Cardinal" which might show more emphasis the fact Rome has UGCC on a very short leash.
I understand the other points, but isn't that an issue that may be part of the stumbling block between Orthodoxy and Catholicism on the basis of the Pope's role.
SPDundas
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spdundas - you misunderstand me I fear  I'm referring to the mention of him as Husar Sorry but discourtesy like that really really irritates me
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Hierarchs - and most especially Patriarchs - are not properly referred to by their former surnames. Would the Forum tolerate anyone referring to "Pope Ratzinger"?
Fr. Serge
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Well, Fr. Serge, in Italy they do refer to the Pope as "Papa Ratzinger," "Papa Wojtyla," etc. Makes no sense to me, but there it is!
Alexis
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SPDundas:
I think you misunderstand what is at work here. The Holy Father is encouraging what has been termed "ongoing formation of the clergy." In other words, he's encouraging and recommending that the UGCC bishops work to provide continuing education for their clergy, opportunitites for spiritual enrichment, and working with their brethren in the Latin Church in Ukraine. This last, one would hope, should also work to broaden the vision of the Latin clergy as far as what it means to be Catholic--that one can be Catholic and not necessarily Latin.
Beyond all that, many of the problems faced by clergy are common to all clergy, regardless of sui juris Church within the Catholic communion. For that matter, it might even be a good thing to have common retreats with Orthodox clergy for the purpose of learning how to deal with marital break-up, alcoholism, the alienation of youth, etc. For that matter, it might be well to have these ad limina visits for the purpose of having a place where the experience of other bishops in other countries can be brought to the attention of those visiting. When we live in a global village, sometimes the experience of others far removed can be something that can be adapted to one's own problems and situation.
In Christ,
BOB
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