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This is the second report from Roman Catholic press that I have seen supporting His Beatitude Patriarch Lybomyr Husar for Pope.

national catholic reporter [nationalcatholicreporter.org]

What do you all think about it? Is this a good, or bad thing for Byzantine (not just Ruthenian) Catholics?

Is this a good thing for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church?

Ality

Dear Friends,
Patriarch Husar as Pope would undoubtedly be very interesting, but not likely because he is of the Byzantine tradition and I don't believe the Roman Catholic Church would permit a Pope to wear a beard and Byzantine vestments, it's way too far from what they are used to. I believe that If Patriarch Husar became Pope, the changes would be positive but somewhat drastic for the Latins. The reaction in Moscow would be something really interesting to observe, because not only would Husar be Patriarch of Ukraine but of the West as well. Yes, I think he would be a very good Pope and Patriarch for sure.
Lauro

ALity,

Husar was one of TWENTY papabili that Mr. John Allen Jr. picked. One man's opinion. Don't read too much into it.

One never knows. God does work in mysterious ways. Who would have thought 30 years ago that we would have a Polish Pope.

Well technically, upon assuming (or whatever one may call it) the Papacy, an Eastern Catholic would cease to be Eastern Catholic. He would become Latin Catholic. This was discussed a month or two again on the ByzCath boards. I think part of the reason for this is that the Pope is Patriarch of the West, therefore he has to be Latin Catholic. But, an Eastern Catholic can be elected to the Papacy; I think this would be very interesting and probably a really good thing. Surely earlier popes like Pope Sylvester (who was Greek I believe) were Byzantine and not Latin, so there have been Popes from Eastern Christianity before. Lots of them actually. But I suppose back then the Pope wasn't considered Patriarch of the West, or was he? Perhaps so.

ChristTeen287

So if and Eastern bishop is elected Pope what will happen? Will the West demand a recount? or go into scism? Whats the big deal?

Mike,

Only if the papal election occurs in Florida.

Well,
the First thing he could do, is to say.........

All of us are going back to Orthodoxy

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

How can one go back to where one is?

Steve

Dear ALity,

I believe the biggest thing standing in Patriarch Husar's way to being elected Pope is his American citizenship. In European circles American citizenship is synonymous with CIA files .

I do not believe our dear Patriarch is going to be elected Pope, but I believe on the next election of the Pope we are going to see Greek Catholic Bishops play a more important role.

The Greek Catholic Churches have the answer's to many of the recent problems that have been plaguing the Roman Catholic Church. I believe the next Pope will allow us to state our case.

Well, Steve!

We shall have to agree to disagree on that point

Very interesting, but...
it's problematic enough that he is somehow "Cardinal" in the Latin diocese of Older Rome. Being Patriarch of the Latin Church would be just too bizarre.

Besides which, they won't recognize his Patriarchate, but they'll make him Pope?

Le plus ca change...

Let's work on becoming what we are first, an honest to goodness autonomous Orthodox Church in Communion with Rome.

herb.

ps: although I must admit Brian's scenario....very tempting...
....if it works out, then I'm perfectly willing to overlook all the canonical non-sequitors.
...or at least he would recognize the next Patriarch we elect?

Besides which, I thought it was the Vatican's Official policy to not allow Easterners to transfer into the Latin Church.

Well certainly there are exceptions to this general rule. I've found this troubling, though. What if an Easterner truly does feel called to the Latin Tradition? Not because of latinization or bias, but because of a true heartfelt desire, much like the desire that many Latin Catholics have to becoming Eastern Catholic.

ChristTeen287

dear CT287:

Since I am not a member of the Latin Church, much less in the inner circle of decision-makers of its Patriach, I don't know [simple answer].

My guess is that they are trying to stem the tide of Eastern Catholics becoming Latins. Of course, transfer into the Latin Church not impossible, but it is supposed to be very rare and exceptional.

Nevertheless you need not worry. De facto there is little if anything stopping Eastern Catholics from becoming Latins.

BY FAR the great majority of Eastern Catholics just "become" Latins by going to the Church, having their children baptised there, etc. and Latin Pastors never worry about the Canons concerning this, seem totally ignorant of the mind of the Church on this, and never seem to lose much sleep over intra-Communal proselytising [or worse think it's not such a bad thing].

I don't think the Nomo-Canons can help us much on this question.

It lies in such realms as a renewal of our Liturgy, pastoral care, a revival of our Spirituality, etc. We as OrthodoxInCommunionWithRome have to get our own act together as a Church. If we continue to live, act, and see ourselves as a 2d class rite, then naturally people will "upgrade".

herb.

Well,

I reallly don't know what to think of it if it were to happen, mixed emotions I guess.

Our church (UGCC) needs good leaders within it's ranks and I consider Husar to be one of our finest.
But I also hear he is one of the most respected Cardinals in Rome and when he talks, people listen, so who really knows.

As far as his needing to convert to the Latin Rite, I don't accept that as either a condition or hindrance. Us Eastern Catholics are fully Catholic, and our traditions are as valid and sacred as the Latin Rite. Canonically I don't think one would need to change rites as long as one was Catholic in the big sense of the word.

Besides Roman Catholics have been "essentially" running the show for centuries with respect to our church: her theology, canons, liturgy, and ecclseiology.

The roles would simply reverse. There would be a Byzantine Pope who would preside over, but not be the main celebrant, of the Latin Masses, just like the Pope did when he was in Ukraine.

And just for the record, Husar is now a Ukrainian citizen.

In reality, this is more fun imagination. I agree with JoeT , I don't think it is really realistic. If it happened I would probably be shocked for about three weeks.



Ality