www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Bishop Robert M. Moskal Retires

Pope Benedict XVI today accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Mikhail Moskal [catholic-hierarchy.org] from the pastoral governance of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma (Ohio).

The Holy Father appointed Bishop John Bura [catholic-hierarchy.org], Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma.

Source
Rinunce e nomine [212.77.1.245], Holy See Press Office, 29 July 2009.

not to open up a can of worms. but why is it the decision of the supreme pontiff Pope Benedict XVI and not His Beatitude Major-Archbishop Lubomyr? is it because the UGCC is not a patriarchal church? anything in the canon law for eastern churches on this? just asking for my education of how this works.

Matuesz,

the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma is located outside the territorial boundaries of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. Therefore the decision is made by Pope Benedict XVI, in accordance with the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 210, cf. canon 152:

In this matter there is no difference between patriarchal Churches and major archiepiscopal Churches:

I hope this answers your question.

I have no problem with that, as long as Patriarch Lyubomir gets to appoint all the Latin bishops in Ukraine, and Patriarch Gregorios gets to appoint all the Latin bishops in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

It seems that all patriarchates are territorially defined by political boundaries in the late 17th century--except for those of the Latin Patriarchate, which is "universal".

One has to wonder whether, when communion is restored between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, Rome will attempt to circumscribe the jurisdiction of the various Orthodox patriarchates, too.

Stuart,

First of all let us pray for Bishop John (Bura) and for the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma which has been entrusted to his pastoral care for the time being.

Secondly, I agree there is a canonical "asymmetry" here which is probably unsustainable in the long run.

Thirdly, I don't see why Patriarch Gregory III should get to appoint all Latin bishops in the Near East? What about Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Peter and Patriarch Mar Ignatius Joseph III?

OK, they get to take each opening in rotation, with the order decided by drawing straws.

Did it ever occur to anyone that there are enough Patriarchs of Antioch to form a basketball team?

Good one, Stuart!

Still, what about the Chaldean bishops of Aleppo and Beirut? Are they going to be appointed by one of the patriarchs of Antioch (by drawing straws) or by the patriarch and synod of Babylon? And what about the Armenian bishops of Aleppo and Kamichlié, or even the Armenian patriarch of Cilicia, who resides in Lebanon?

The bishop of Rome if first among equals, not because he is head of the Latin Church, but because of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, who probably didn't speak a word of Latin.

Once we achieve full communion between the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, someone with a degree in canon law will get the unenviable task of sorting out the mess of the five patriarchs of Antioch.

Anyway, I have a feeling we're getting off topic.

Many years to Bishop JOHN of Limisa.

The bishop of Rome if first among equals, not because he is head of the Latin Church, but because of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, who probably didn't speak a word of Latin.

Following Dvornik, I would say that the Bishop of Rome is first among equals not because he is "heir of Peter", but because Rome is the first Church, the Church with priority, which presides in love--because Rome was the first city of the Empire, because Rome was the wealthiest and most influential Church, and because Rome could claim dual apostolic foundation.

Amazing how late in the day the idea that Rome's primacy was based on its Petrine foundation came to the fore--and then, mainly because Rome's wealth and political influence were being eclipsed by Constantinople. As evidence of this, it is far into the sixth or even the seventh century before we begin to hear the story of the Church of Byzantium's foundation by St. Andrew--a story with no foundation in history that was devised precisely to counter Rome's new claim of Petrine priority (because, of course, Andrew was called first).

But we are off topic, and Eis pola eti, despotin.

In practice, Rome tries to give a nod to the concept of Eastern "autonomy" or "sui iuris" status by generally only signing off on appointments approved by the synod of the Church in question. So yes, the pope gets the credit for the appointment--based on the specious notions of territoriality noted above--but behind the scenes the synod comes up with the terna, and everyone else--the nuncio, the Congregation for Bishops, and the pope himself--almost invariably approve whomever the synod put at the top of the list.

Many thanks to Bishop Robert for his long service to the UGCC.

He is notable as a builder of new parishes, beginning in 1963 as founding pastor of St. Anne in Warrington, Pennsylvania.

http://stanneukrainiancc.com/about_1.html

Bishop Robert has worked to establish new parishes in Georgia and North Carolina.

Many years to Bishop Robert.

And to Bishop John.

Many Years Bishop Robert and Bishop John!

I'm sorry that Bishop Robert-Michael has resigned; he has served as Bishop of Parma with great devotion and accomplishment.

But it is joyful to see Bishop John placed in charge of the Eparchy of Parma.

Many Years!

Fr. Serge

Since the age of mandatory retirement for ALL diocesan/eparchial bishops in the Catholic Church is at 75 years, Bishop Robert's early resignation must have been "due to ill health or to another serious reason."

Amado

I believe it is for reasons of health. I have seen prayer requests for Bishop Robert in Church bulletins during the past year.

May the Lord grant many years to His servant, Bishop Robert.

Good health and many years to Bishop Robert Mikhail.