Metropolitan Lawrence (Huculak) and Western Canadian bishops in Rome

Why did they all go to Rome? Well. It is a long-time practice that every active bishop makes a pilgrimage to Rome every five years. During this pilgrimage, they visit the tombs of the Chief-of-the-Apostles (Первоверховні Апостоли) Sts. Peter and Paul and they report to various dicasteries (departments) of the Vatican administration known as the Roman Curia. One of the high pints of this trip is an audience with the Holy Father Pope Francis. At one time the Pope met every single Bishop for a private audience, but Pope Francis has decided to only meet them all together for a general meeting during which they may share ideas and comments together and perhaps greet the Pope with a handshake and a kiss of peace. They did, however, meet with him for over two and a half hours! The Bishops divided up the reports that they were to give to each of the dicasteries and took turns delivering the report on behalf of the Catholic Church in Western Canada. Of course the Ukrainian Bishops took special interest in the dicastery known as the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. In spite of all these reports, every eparchy and diocese is also required to make a full report on the activity and state of life within that local “particular” church.

       The Bishops did a lot together. They lived at the House for Clergy only a few blocks from St. Peter’s Basilica, they and ate many of their meals together and, of course, theu prayed together on many occasions.

       Our Metropolitan and the other Ukrainian Bishops, besides conducting interviews and visiting various Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian institutions in Rome, occasionally led the prayer for the whole group. Many of the bishops agreed that one of the spiritual highlights was the concelebrated Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in St. Peter’s Basilica at the tomb of the holy Hieromartyr St. Josaphat.

        We look forward to a summary report from Metropolitan when he returns to Winnipeg.

 

METROPOLITAN LAWRENCE AT THE ORIENTAL CONGREGATION

 

       Metropolitan Lawrence naturally led the delegation of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops to the abovementioned Eastern Congregation. During his opening remarks to the Prefect of the dicastery, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Metropolitan Lawrence spoke of the 12 Eastern Catholic Bishops that provide pastoral leadership for the various Eastern Catholics living in Western Canada. Ukrainian Catholics make of the largest number and have four bishops with sees in the area. However, there are many more that presently have their bishop residing in Eastern Canada or, in some cases, in the United States, but still visit and oversee life in the parishes throughout the west.

       He also spoke about the extraordinary positive spirit of collaboration between Eastern Catholic and Western Catholic clergy and faithful that has developed in western Canada. This is evident as well in relations with non-Catholic Churches.

      Metropolitan also mentioned the establishment 100 years ago of the Pontifical Oriental Institute by Pope Benedict XV in 1917. This institute for Eastern Christian studies was established to be a place that would assure the whole Church that Eastern Christian theology, canon law, history, spirituality and ecclesiology would not only be preserved, but that it would thrive and develop. A number of the clergy now serving within the Archeparchy of Winnipeg studied at the Pontifical Oriental Institute at one time or another in one of the fields of specialization mentioned above.    

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 

Vatican Radio Interview with Bishops Bryan and David…

 

  (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met this week with the members of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops (AWCB) of Canada, who are in Rome for their regular ad limina visits.

Ukrainian Catholic Bishops (David) Motiuk, of the Eparchy of Edmonton, and Ken (Nowakowski), of New Westminster, came to Vatican Radio where they spoke with Christopher Wells about their meeting with the Pope.

       “I felt very much that it was a meeting between brothers,” said Bishop Nowakowski. “Instantly we felt at ease and instantly there was no strangeness.”

       Bishop Motiuk agreed, describing the Pope’s “beautiful welcome” as “fraternal.” “We played a game of soccer,” the Bishop said, with a smile. The Pope said, “Here’s the soccer ball, we’ll put it down in the midst, and whoever wants to kick it first, we can begin our dialogue, our discussion. A beautiful image!”

       “I think it was very much a time of listening to each other,” Bishop Nowakowski added. Pope Francis, he said, told the group “Being a bishop is hard,” and said he appreciates the work the Bishops are doing. Nowakowski said the Holy Father emphasized the need for Bishops to be close to their people, and the importance of solidarity: “being in a close relationship with our faithful, with our parish priests, with the Bishops, and with the Holy Father.” It’s a concept, the Bishop said, that the Eastern Catholic Churches understand well. 

       As an example of the importance of listening, Bishop Motiuk pointed to the next Synod of Bishops, set for October 2018, which will focus on youth. “It’s a huge challenge for the Ukrainian Catholic Church to engage our young people in the ministry of the Church,” he said. “They’re so preoccupied with so many other things. But it’s encouraging us to find ways to have conversations with our young people… What are their considerations, aspirations, their hopes for the future?” It can be difficult for a Bishop to listen, he said – “We like to do all the talking!” – but “it’s so important to listen.”

Both Bishops spoke of celebrating the Divine Liturgy, in the Rite of the Ukrainian Church, at the altar of St Josaphat in St Peter’s Basilica, as highlight of their ad limina visit. St Josaphat, Bishop Nowakowski said, “really was a remarkable man in many ways… He died for Christian unity, for wanting the Eastern Church in the territory of Ukraine and what is now Belarus to be fully united, in Eucharistic Communion, with the Holy See. And that’s an incredible thing.” He said opportunity to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, in the rites of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, “with our Latin brothers” was “a great sign” of unity. He pointed to the excellent relations between Eastern and Latin Bishops in Canada, as a model “that could be followed anywhere in the world.”

       “That was one of my proudest moments during this ad limina,” Bishop Motiuk said, “where the 22 [Ukrainian Catholic and Roman Catholic] bishops of western Canada were able to gather in the celebration of the divine liturgy, according to the Ukrainian church, and to pray for Christian unity.” Pope Francis, he said, reminded the bishops that “the ad limina visit is a very visible sign of communion with the bishops throughout the world, with Pope Francis, but [also] with others.” Often times, he said, “in a parish or in an eparchy or in a diocese, we get caught up in the day to day life of our local church. But here was a concrete symbol and action of the unity of the Catholic Church in action, and especially in prayer. It was just a beautiful moment for me.”

 

To Listen to the full interview with Bishop David, and Bishop Ken – click [HERE]

 

Report on website of the [Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops]