I found this notice on the Vatican web site:

Edward, deacon and sinner

May the new Metropolitan be blessed with health and long life. May the Spirit guide his hand and mind and heart to the service of your Church.

Congratulations!

Ad Multos Annos!

May God the Father endow the new Metropolitan and the new Bishop with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve the people of your Church. I know you've been waiting a long time for this, congrats guys.

Christ is risen!

May God grant Metropolitan Basil and Bishop-elect John many years.

Thanks be to God!

FINALLY! Now that we have a Metropolitan, we can get back to business. Let us pray for our new bishops, that God will guide them in their ministries.

Dear Anthony,

And may visions of married Byzantine Catholic priests dance in his head!!

Alex

And may visions of married Byzantine Catholic priests dance in his head!!

Alex

Amin. Thanks be to God!

Adam

ps, What kind of dance would they be doing?

>>>ps, What kind of dance would they be doing?

Probably some sort of Polka. Definitely not Lambada--at least not during Lent. ;-)

anastasios

Thanks be to God!

Here it is in Italian from www.vatican.va :


NOMINA DELL'ARCIVESCOVO METROPOLITA DI PITTSBURGH DEI BIZANTINI (U.S.A.)

Il Santo Padre ha nominato Arcivescovo Metropolita di Pittsburgh dei Bizantini (U.S.A.) S.E. Mons. Basil Myron Schott, O.F.M., finora Vescovo di Parma dei Ruteni (U.S.A.).

S.E. Mons. Basil Myron Schott, O.F.M.
S.E. Mons. Basil Myron Schott, O.F.M., è nato il 21 luglio 1939 a Freeland, Pennsylvania. Ha frequentato il Seminario di Santa Maria di Norwalk, Connecticut; ha studiato all'Università di New York al "Post Graduate Center for Mental Health" e in seguito all'Università Cattolica di Washington. Ha un Bachelor of Arts in filosofia e teologia ed un Master of Arts in teologia e consultazione pastorale.
Il 3 agosto 1958 è entrato nel noviziato dei francescani bizantini dell'Ordine dei Frati Minori, dove ha emesso i voti il 4 agosto 1959. In quell'Ordine è stato ordinato presbitero il 29 agosto 1959.
Ha avuto incarichi in seno all'Ordine.
Il 3 febbraio 1996 è stato nominato dal Santo Padre Vescovo di Parma dei Ruteni. E' stato consacrato ed intronizzato l'11 luglio 1996.

[00720-01.01]


NOMINA DEL VESCOVO DI PARMA DEI RUTENI (U.S.A.)

Il Santo Padre ha nominato Vescovo di Parma dei Ruteni (U.S.A.) il Rev.mo Arciprete John Kudrick, finora Amministratore Arcieparchiale di Pittsburgh e Rettore della Cattedrale.

Rev.mo John Kudrick
Il Rev.mo John Kudrick è nato il 23 dicembre 1947 a Lloydell, Pennsylvania, in una famiglia rutena.
Entrato il 29 gennaio 1967 nel Terzo Ordine Regolare di San Francesco, ha studiato, come membro della Provincia del Sacratissimo Cuore di Gesù di quella Comunità religiosa, al "Saint Francis College" in Loretto, Pennsylvania, ottenendo il titolo di Bachelor of Arts in matematica nel 1970. Ha emesso i voti perpetui il 1° giugno 1972.
Continuando gli studi alla "Indiana State University", ha conseguito nel 1973 il titolo di "Master of Science" in matematica e nel 1975 dal "Saint Francis Seminary" di Loretto nel 1975 il titolo di "Master of Divinity.
Il 3 maggio 1975 ha ricevuto l'ordinazione sacerdotale. Dal 1975 al 1985 è stato membro della Facoltà del Saint Francis College a Loretto e dal 1976 al 1980 Direttore Assistente per i postulanti del medesimo Ordine, esercitando anche il ministero in due parrocchie di rito bizantino ruteno dell'Arcieparchia metropolitana di Pittsburgh. Nel mese di maggio 1987 si è incardinato nell'Arcieparchia di Pittsburgh, dove ha esercitato il ministero nelle parrocchie di Santa Maria a Windber, Pennsylvania, e di Santo Spirito in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Dal giugno 1998 è stato Rettore della Cattedrale di San Giovanni in Munhall, Pennsylvania.
Il 1° maggio 2001, dopo la scomparsa dell'Arcivescovo Metropolita, è stato canonicamente eletto dal Collegio dei Consultori Amministratore Arcieparchiale.

[00721-01.01]


http://www.vatican.va/cgi-bin/w3-msql/news_services/bulletin/news/11262.html?index=11262&lang=en

Here is the link from EWTN with the Vatican Information Service news report.


http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=26145


Joe Prokopchak
archsinner

Greetings all!

As some of you already know, I am currently Roman Catholic, working on a transfer to the Byzantine rite. Seeing this news story, I'm thinking it would be a grat time for someone to explain to me what a metropolitan is. For those who are familiar with western labels, would a metropolitan be the equivalent (at least roughly) of a cardinal?

Thanks for your help!

Greg

Dear Greg,

Actually, the Metropolitan in the Slavic Churches is what the Archbishop is everywhere else.

Alex

Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:

Actually, the Metropolitan in the Slavic Churches is what the Archbishop is everywhere else.

Ok, so...In the west, essentially, you have (in order of authority) deacons, priests, monsigniors ("exalted" priests), bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and the Pope.

In the east, you have deacons, priests, archpriests...metropolitans, patriarchs and the Pope? Yes? No? Somebody help me out here. :-)

Greg

[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: Mystic ]

[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: Mystic ]

Here is the Catholic News Service story:

SCHOTT (UPDATED) May-3-2002 (560 words) With photo. xxxn


Bishop Schott transferred to Pittsburgh; successor named in Parma


Editors: Adds new information. UPDATED version of SCHOTT of May 3, 2002:


By Catholic News Service


WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has appointed Bishop Basil M. Schott of the Byzantine Diocese of Parma, Ohio, to head the Byzantine Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, succeeding Archbishop Judson M. Procyk, who died last April.

The pope also named Father John M. Kudrick, who has been serving as diocesan administrator of the Byzantine archdiocese, as Archbishop Schott's successor in Parma.

The appointments were announced May 3 in Washington by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Pittsburgh Bishop Donald W. Wuerl called it "a great joy, personally and on behalf of the (Latin-rite) Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to congratulate our sisters and brothers in the Byzantine Catholic Archdiocese of Pittsburgh."

He said he looked forward to working with Archbishop Schott "on the many cooperative efforts that reflect our desire to serve all of God's people in the church and the wider community."

He also pledged to continue to support Bishop-designate Kudrick, saying he brings "significant pastoral experience to his new duties" as Parma's bishop.

Archbishop Schott, who was ordained a Byzantine Franciscan priest in 1965, was appointed bishop of the Parma Diocese in 1996.

He was born in Freeland, Pa., in 1939 and attended St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Grade School in Freeland and St. Gabriel High School in Hazelton.

The bishop did his seminary studies in Callicoon and Troy, N.Y., and Sybertsville and New Canaan, Conn., between 1957 and 1965.

After his ordination, he was procurator of Holy Protection House in New Canaan, principal of Byzantine Catholic High School in Parma, and master of novices and superior of the convent at the Sybertsville monastery.

For nine years between 1978 and 1987, he was custodian of the Byzantine-Slavic Custody of St. Mary of the Angels in Sybertsville, and from 1987 to 1990 was spiritual director of its lay fraternity and director of post-novitiate formation.

Archbishop Procyk, who was archbishop of the Byzantine Archdiocese of Pittsburgh since 1995, died unexpectedly last year at the age of 70.

He was well-known for his efforts to preserve Eastern church traditions for Catholics under his care in the United States. He was a supporter of Vatican instructions to recapture the theology, liturgy and spirituality of Eastern Catholicism and he restored the practice of conferring the three sacraments of initiation -- baptism, confirmation and Eucharist -- at the same time.

Bishop-designate Kudrick, who succeeds Archbishop Schott in Parma, is a 55-year-old native of Dunlo, Pa., who was ordained a priest of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis in 1975. Three years later he was given permission to serve in the Byzantine rite. In the early years of his priesthood, he served as assistant professor and director of computer services at St. Francis College in Loretto, Pa.

Before he was appointed diocesan administrator of the Pittsburgh Byzantine Archdiocese last year, he had various assignments in the archdiocese including rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, vice chancellor of the archdiocese and administrative secretary to the metropolitan.

Pittsburgh's Byzantine Archdiocese has a Catholic population of 65,000. It serves Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholics in parts of Pennsylvania, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

The Byzantine Diocese of Parma serves about 12,500 Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholics in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Ohio.

END


05/03/2002 2:52 PM ET

Copyright (c) 2002 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Dear Greg,

The East has bishops too, but "Metropolitan" is typically something that the Slavic Eastern Churches favour - the Greeks prefer "Archbishop."

Both "Metropolitan" and "Archbishop" are the same in terms of authority - they are set above the bishops of a "Metropolis."

In the other Eastern Churches, "Metropolitan" can also refer to a "Chief Archbishop" over Archbishops or a Primate.

Why the seeming urgency to know this? Do you want to be a Metropolitan?

Alex

Dear Ruthenian Catholic Friends,

I see that the Order of St Francis is prominent in your Church!

Could you discuss the Byzantine Franciscans and their role in your Church, especially with respect to the promotion of Eastern traditions etc?

Just curious . . .

Alex

Dear Mystical Greg:

There are two hierarchies in the Catholic Church (Latin Rite):

(a) Hierarchy of Order:

(1) Episcopate (Bishops, which includes
Archbishops, Patriarchs, Cardinal-
Bishops, and the Pope himself, who is
Bishop ofRome);

(2) Presbytery (Priests); and

(3) Diaconate. (The other orders, i.e.,
those of subdeacon, acolyte, exorcist,
lector, and porter, are of
ecclesiastical institution.)

(b) Hierarchy of Jurisdiction:

(1) The Pope;

(2) Cardinals (In actual discipline of the
Church, the Cardinals are the Pope's
advisers in the more important matters
concerning the universal Church and
exercise their jurisdiction in the
various congregations, tribunals, and
offices instituted by the Pope for the
government of the universal Church);

(3) Patriarchs (Minor Patriarchs, whose
titles are merely honorary, are: the
Patriarch of Venice, the Patriarch of
the West Indies who resides in Spain,
the Patriarch of the East Indies who
resides in, and is the Archbishop of,
Goa, and the Patriarch of Lisbon.);

(4) Archbishops:

(i) Metropolitan;
(ii) Titular.

(5) Bishops:

(i) Diocesan:

(aa) Exempt, not under any
Archbishop, and are directly
subject to the Holy See;

(bb) Suffragan, under the
Metropolitan Archbishop.

(ii) Titular: These receive episcopal
consecration but have no
jurisdiction over the dioceses of
which they bear the title. They
may be appointed by the Pope as
auxiliary bishops or coadjutors to
diocesan bishops.

(6) Pastors, the heads of parishes.

In the Eastern Catholic Churches the hierarchy,in general, resembles that of the West. I think the variations are few: a Major Archbishop would be higher than a Metropolitan Archbishop, the former exercising jurisdiction over an entire particular Church like Cardinal Husar, the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainians. While the patriarchic organization is preserved, all Patriarchs have no equal powers; some of them are even subject to Apostolic delegates.

A minor vriation under "Archbishops" in the West would be that of a "Primate," who roughly corresponds to that of "Exarch" in the East. With the exception of the Primate of Gran (Hungary), Primates have a mere pre-eminence of honour over Metropolitans. Metropolitans, on the other hand, have real rights over suffragan Bishops within their eccesiastical province and over the province itself.

In ecclesiastical language, Pittsburgh as the principal city (metropolitan), or see (eparchy), of the entire province of Ruthenians in the USA, thus becomes the seat of power and authority of Metropolitan Archbishop Basil M. Schott.

May God bless him!

AmdG

[ 05-08-2002: Message edited by: Amado Guerrero ]

"In the Eastern Catholic Churches the hierarchy,in general, resembles that of the West. I think the
variations are few: a Major Archbishop would be higher than a Metropolitan Archbishop, the former exercising jurisdiction over an entire particular Church like Cardinal Husar, the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainians. While the patriarchic organization is preserved, all Patriarchs have no equal powers; some of them are even subject to Apostolic delegates.A minor vriation under "Archbishops" in the West would be that of a "Primate," who roughly"
corresponds to that of "Exarch" in the East. With the exception of the Primate of Gran (Hungary),Primates have a mere pre-eminence of honour over Metropolitans. Metropolitans, on the other hand, have real rights over suffragan Bishops within their eccesiastical province and over the province itself."

Times like this make me wish I were a Baptist.

No, really, thank you for your thoughts.

[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: durak ]

[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: durak ]

Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:

Both "Metropolitan" and "Archbishop" are the same in terms of authority - they are set above the bishops of a "Metropolis."

Ok. So, I'm assuming the United States as a whole is one Metropolis (Archdiocese)?

Why the seeming urgency to know this? Do you want to be a Metropolitan?

Just wanting to learn.

Peace,

Greg

Originally posted by Amado Guerrero:

In the Eastern Catholic Churches the hierarchy,in general, resembles that of the West. I think the variations are few

Hi, Amado. Thank you for your input.

Pardon my slow mind, but...Who are the "top dogs" then in the Eastern Churches under the Pope (in practical terms, generally speaking)? Is it the patriarchs, or someone else? There are no "cardinals" in the east are there?

Thanks again.

"Mystical" Greg

Greg,
The Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Lubomyr, is a Cardinal, as was the 2 patriarchs before him. I think the Patriarch of the Melkites is a Cardinal also, but in his case, I am not too sure.
-ukrainiancatholic

Yes, Alex, 3 sons of the venerable Father, Francis of Assisi, are taking over the episcopate of the Metropolia. I don't know about other Eastern traditions, but I wouldn't be surprised if a market developed for brown riassas.

Dear Greg,

Let me see if I can explain a little. The new Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, Basil Schott, will be the head of the "Sui Juris" (self-governing) Byzantine Catholic Church in the USA, which officially is subordinate only to the Pope.

Metropolitan Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia also has archepiscopal authority throughout the USA, and was appointed by John Paul II, but participates in the synod (council of Bishops) of the worldwide Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which is headed by Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, who is indeed a Cardinal, but is also Metropolitan of Halych, Major-Archbishop of Lviv, Bishop of Kamianets-Podilsky, a Priest of the Eparchy (Diocese) of Stamford Connecticut and probably a few other titles as well, including Patriarch (athough he is too modest to use this title himself).

More information is available on the UGCC website, look for Church History, and Leaders.

www.ugcc.org.ua/eng/

There are also several other Eastern Church Cardinals, including Cardinal Daoud, Cardinal Sfier of Lebanon (Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites) and Cardinal Ghattas of Egypt (Pariarch of Alexandria of the Copts).

I hope I have helped, athough I realize that it can be confusing. Part of this is because each Eastern Church has its own history and thus, its own structural development.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Congratulations to all of you who have been waiting for so long the appointment of a new Metropolitan of Pittsburg. May God grant him many blessed years!

Congratulations also to all our brothers in Christ at Parma Eparchy. Now you have 2 Bishops!

Congratulations to Metropolitan Schott and Archpriest Kudrick!

One is leaving Pittsburgh for Cleveland (for those who don't know, Parma is a suburb (with lots of Polish!) of Cleveland) and one is leaving Cleveland for Pittsburgh

It was posted that both gentlemen like to, among other things, watch football. Well, the Browns aren't too popular in Pittsburgh, neither are the Steelers in Cleveland! :

Seriously, I hope for the best for both servants of the Lord in their new assignments, and for the growth of and the restoration of the traditions of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church. I had the opportunity to meet Metropolitan Procyk, and I hope Metropolitan Schott does well as his successor.

Alex,

The Byzantine Franciscans are great promoters of our Byzantine traditions. Remember that New Skete was founded by Byzantine Franciscans. In fact, my spiritual director is a Byzantine TOR and is from the same friary as Bishop-elect John. (And you know how I can get when it comes to preserving or restoring our traditions. ) However, they are a disappearing breed. Sybertsville, was recently downgraded from a friary (to whatever a friary gets downgraded to, loss of autonomy or something) because the number of members fell below the required amount. There are only a handful of friars left there. The Ukrainians have a friary in New England, but I don't know what their numbers are.

In Christ,
Lance

[ 05-03-2002: Message edited by: Lance ]

Ukraniancatholic:

No, the Melkite Patriarch is not a cardinal. Although several past patriarchs have been offered the red hat, all have refused as the role of Patriarch is higher, ecclesiastically, than that of cardinal.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Mystic Greg,

Check out Faith & Worship, under Patriarchs, Archbishops, & Metropolitans, Oh My! you will find a more complete explanantion of the definitions of these titles.

In Christ,
Lance, deacon candidate

to Mystic:


The plural of monsignor is monsignori. It is not in the chain of command. The title of monsignor is honorific. It is not given to members of a religious order.

The old adage "Be careful of what you ask for. You just might get it..." is screaming at me right now.

Hi John. Thanks for your input, though, I am now (through no fault of yours) more confused than ever.

Let me ask this and then leave this issue alone for now - Is the new metropolitan then the highest authority (at least generally speaking) in this country in the Byzantine Church? There is no "bishop's conference" in the Byzantine rite that would be a higher authority than he, is there?

Oh, and one more thing:

The new Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, Basil Schott, will be the head of the "Sui Juris" (self-governing) Byzantine Catholic Church in the USA, which officially is subordinate only to the Pope.

This one threw me a bit. I was under the impression that the Byzantine rite as a whole, throughout the world, would have one leader (patriarch?) under the Pope. Do the metropolitans/bishops/patriarchs of the rite in every country all hold equal authority with each other underneath the Pope?

Thanks again.

Greg

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Mystic ]

Lance,

Thank you. I will do that.

Mike,

Yes, I know. Sorry, I worded that post poorly.

Greg

Actually, the issue is a little more complex depending what country you are from. What makes this more confusing is that when specific bishops are referred to in official documents, the abbreviation "Mons." is used(Italian, Monsignore, French, Monseigneur, literally, "My Lord")(see the Italian vesion of the Vatican press release on page one of this thread when Bishop Basil is referrenced). Thus in countries were the Romance languages are in use "Mons." refers to those in the episcopate. In the English speaking countries "monsignor(s)" refers to the presbyters who have received some form of papal honor.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: bisantino ]

Mystic Greg,

Do not cofuse Rite and Church. Several sui iuris Churches may share the same rite but are seperate jurisdictionally speaking. I offer this brief outline, detailing which Churches use which rite and what dignity the chief hierarch holds. The chief hierarch answers to no one else but the Holy Father.

Byzantine Rite Churches:

Melkite-Patriarch
Ukrainian-Major Archbishop
Romanian-Metropolitan
Ruthenian(USA)-Metropolitan
Ruthenian(Ukraine)-Eparch/Bishop
Croatian-Eparch/Bishop
Slovak-Eparch/Bishop
Hungarian-Eparch/Bishop
Italo-Albanian/Greek-Eparch/Bishop
Greek-Exarch/Bishop
Bulgarian-Exarch/Bishop
Macedonian-Exarch/Bishop
Russian-Exarch/currently without hierarch
Belarusan-Exarch/currently without hierarch

Syrian Rite Churches:

Syriac-Patriarch
Syro-Malankar-Metropolitan

Chaldean Rite Churches:

Chaldean/Assyrian-Patriarch
Syro-Malabar-Major Archbishop

The following Churches all follow the Rite desiganted by their name:

Coptic-Patriarch

Maronite-Patriarch

Armenian-Patriarch

Ethiopian-Metropolitan

+Christ is Risen!
Indeed He is Risen!!

Lance,

Excellent outline! :-)

May our God grant our two new hierarchs many happy, healthy, and holy years and lead and strengthen them well in His holy work! Glory to God! Glory to Him Forever!

God bless you all.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Liz ]

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: Liz ]

Mystic,

Lance sort of answers the questions you asked: However, the answer may not be clear. First, there is no such thing as the "Byzantine Church" -- the term "Byzantine" refers to a Rite which is used by 14 Churches (which Lance has listed).

The new Metropolitan is the "top dog" in the Ruthenian Church in the United States. As in the Latin Church the Bishops' Conference does not outweigh the head of the Church, although, unlike the Latin Church, it has more authority and power.

Edward, deacon and sinner.

[ 05-04-2002: Message edited by: FrDeaconEd ]

Hi,

The Lord said to St. Francis "My house is falling down. I want you to rebuild it." We have 3 Franciscans as Hierarchs. It's meant to be. Our Church is going to be just fine.

Nicky's Baba

Actually this is somewhat inaccurate. The offical name, promoted by every Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church I have been to, is the Byzantine Catholic Church. This is the official name of the Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church. The term "Ruthenian" is minimized in America, except when you want to differentiate yourselves, especially from your brother's and sister's on the other side of the Carpathians, the Ukrainians (Ruthenians too!) It is dishonest (MHO). For if what was important was being Byzantine Catholic, why does the Ruthenian Church in America conitue to promote two Byzantine Churches in Ukraine? When, in fact, it would be more benefical to be part of one Byzantine Catholic Church in Ukraine and the continued effort to seperate yourselves from anything Ukrainian only further alienates the people of Transcarpathia from the society in which they aare a part of.

Why does'nt the Ruthenian Church in America also promote the idea of a "Ruthenian" Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia and other European nations which encompass your conceptual "homeland" Ruthenia?

ALity

May the Holy Spirit dwell within the newly appointed Archbishop of Pittsburgh and bishop-elect of Parma.

May God grant the Church continued spiritual growth and a renewal of our Holy Orthodox traditons.

May God grant us one united Church of Kyiv-Rus, so that we may serve one another in faith, hope and love, witnessing the love of Christ to all nations.

Christ is Risen!

Slava Isusu Christu!

I have a question: were does His Grace Bishop Basil stand on the Orthodox barometer. From a scale of 1-10 how Orthodox would he be? Is he latinized at all - being that he is a Franciscan? Why do you think Rome chose him to be the next Metropolitan for our Church? Will he follow the vision of Metropolitan Judson? These are just a few questions I have. I do not know Bishop Basil that is why I am asking. Thank you.

In Christ,


Robert Horwath

Dear Robert,

Christ is Risen!

I understand your curiousity about our new Metropolitan. However, in my poor opinion, I must ask, if there is a time when such questions are almost inappropriate?

"Why Rome chose him", is a question only Rome can answer, of course. But I think we must presume, that he was chosen because he was the best man for the job!

"Will he share Metropolitan Judson's vision?" He is not Metropolitan Judson, but he will be Metropolitan Basil, and I think we will have to look forward to the time when he will articulate his own vision for our Church, and initiate his own style of leadership.

"How Orthodox is he?" He made a full profession of the Orthodox and Catholic faith when he was ordained a bishop.

If I sound a little irritated by these questions, (and the tone of some of the other posts in this thread), I am sorry.

Would I be out of line (the Administrator may correct me) to suggest that there is a time when we should merely offer the support of our prayers, as these newly appointed leaders take up their duties? This is a difficult time for the Churches, and I dare say these newly appointed leaders need the support of our prayers, more than we need our curiousity satisfied.

Let us allow Bishop Basil, and Archpriest John, to begin their ministry with all our support. And let us keep an open mind, disdaining others' opinions, giving ourselves credit to form our own after a suitable time.

With apologies, for daring to speak so boldly...

Elias

Elias,

No need to apologize, at least to me. I have found these comments a little unseemly myself, and not one that show Catholicism in a very positive light to this Orthodox. I'm more impressed by a spiritual man of God than some-one nitpicking out liturgical "latinisms".

Axios

Dear Friends,

Well, the mystery of the hierachical order of the Churches is even moreso for me now . . .

As for the new Franciscan Hierarchs, I offer up St Francis' blessing:

The Lord bless them and keep them,

The Lord make His Face to shine on them and be gracious unto them,

The Lord lift up His Countenance upon them and grant them Peace!

May our Lord bless them - through the prayers of Our Lady of the Angels and of our Venerable and God-Bearing Father, Francis of Assisi. Amen!

Alex

I hope that Father Elias will excuse me for chiming in, but I can't help my self.

One of my friends is a seminarian for the eparchy of Parma, and knows Bishop Basil well. He has told me on numerous occassions that our new Metropolitan is a great supporter of restoring Eastern traditions. Other evidence that I have seen confirms this.

In short, we are in very good hands!

Anthony

Dear Anthony,

And excuse me for ringing my mission bell here . . .

When I see you ordained a married priest by the new Metropolitan . . .

I'll make a novena to St Francis!!

Alex

Mystical Greg:

From a Latin perspective, I think the "top dog" throughout the Eastern Catholic firmament would be His Eminence, Cardinal Daoud, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

I am pretty certain that the "processes" involved in the selection and appointment of Metropolitan Basil went through Cardinal Daoud's Congregation, which is manned by Eastern Catholics.

Patriarch Daoud resigned/gave up his his office as such when he was made the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation and a new Partriarch of his particular Church was thus elected in his stead.

AmdG

Dear Amado,

Yes, but ultimately the situation in many Eastern Catholic Churches, including the largest Ukrainian one, comes down to:

Take the train which says "Particular, Self-governing Church," but get off where it says "Rome."

Alex

Alex,

this blessing pre-dates the venerable Father Francis and is known as the priestly blessing, since the Lord gave it to Aaron to bless the people:

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron and his sons, 'Thus shall you bless the people of Israel; you shall say to them,
The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.'
So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num. 6:22-27)

See we Catholics know the Scriptures and put them to use!

[ 05-06-2002: Message edited by: bisantino ]

Dear Bisantino,

Yes, I knew that, but wanted to wow you all with my knowledge of the Franciscan heritage . . .

And St Francis added an extra line following the scriptural blessing God gave to Moses, I believe.

But that's fine.

I also understand that on the Franciscan Cross of St Damiano, there are two icons of blessing using the Eastern style of holding the fingers, one at the top representing the Hand of God the Father, and the other with the Centurion on Christ's Left.

I read one Franciscan interpretation of the Hand of God the Father that said He was holding out "one finger" which is nonsense, of course, as He is depicted holding the index finger out, with the bent middle finger representing Christ's "bending the heavens" and coming down to earth.

Could you say something to the Franciscan writer on the Order's pages concerning this important matter?

The writer also says that Christ's Right Arm is higher than His Left suggesting the slanted foot-rest on Orthodox Crosses.

If he is right, then the Franciscans have more in common with the East than we knew . . .

God bless,

Alex