The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Must Become a Patriarchal Church
Oct 04, 2004
On 6 September 2004 Cardinal Lubomir Husar published a “Pastoral Message” regarding the affirmation of the Patriarchal System for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC).
The UGCC has all the above-mentioned characteristics to become a patriarchal Church.
Firstly, as part of the Eastern tradition, our Church considers the patriarchate to be the natural form of its existence, which fully accords with the Second Vatican Council's Decree on Eastern Catholic Churches which says that “the patriarchal office in the Eastern Church is a traditional form of government.” (11)
Secondly, the establishment of the patriarchate is determined by the needs of development of the UGCC, which was unanimously declared by the delegates of the Patriarchal Sobor of 2002. Our Church is becoming mature in terms of particularity today, which we see as a clear work of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly, our Church is convinced that, according to the requirement of the Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism , the patriarchal system “is better suited to the character of our faithful and more for the good of their souls.” (comp. 16) In other words, we consider the patriarchate to be a better means for more perfect church life. As a believer, one should view the patriarchate as a religious-ecclesial reality, where its every element has appropriate rights and duties. In the life of the Eastern Church at all its levels, the patriarchal system develops a sense of greater responsibility for one's actions. The church's well-being becomes the business of each of its faithful to a greater extent than before.
Fourthly, the transfer to the patriarchal system is the Church's response to the establishment of the state independence of Ukraine . The patriarchal system here is understood as a means of reorganization and normalization of the faithfuls' spiritual life for the sake of their common good and the good of the Church.
Fifthly, our Church is not limited to its existence in the territory of the native state, but, in view of historical circumstances, is widely-spread in different countries and has local hierarchical structures there. The UGCC in Ukraine and the diaspora constitutes a community considerable in size. But its power and importance is not in numbers but in the unity and consolidation of its spiritual forces. The patriarchal system of the Church will allow this goal to be achieved to the fullest extent. It was confirmed by the delegates of the Third Session of the Patriarchal Sobor of the UGCC in their address, which says that the establishment of the patriarchate would strengthen “the cooperation between the mother-Church and the daughter-Churches in the settlements.”
Patriarch Josyf once suggested that the great martyrdom showed by UGCC faithful in the 20 th century is a strong reason for the establishment of its patriarchate. While completely agreeing with the idea of our famous confessor of the faith, we would like, however, to warn the faithful against an incorrect interpretation of this argument. The fact of their heroic martyrdom is a vivid indication of the maturity of the members of our Church. It is a spiritual treasure from which the next generations of faithful draw richly. However, the patriarchal status of the UGCC is not to be its faithfuls' reward for martyrdom. Such an interpretation of the above-mentioned Christian virtue can distort its great spiritual meaning. The reward for martyrs is in heaven, and here on Earth martyrdom becomes a foundation for the Church to grow on. The fundamental elements of this foundation are the love of God and one's neighbor, faithfulness to the truth, the ability to forgive offenders, a sense of solidarity with those in need, and so on. A patriarchate built on such a foundation will be established forever, because the Lord Himself recognizes it.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Must Become a Patriarchal Church