Greek Catholics Begin Year of Patriarch Slipyj

On this occasion Cardinal Husar addressed believers, emphasizing three important aspects of the patriarch’s life that, in his opinion, deserve special attention. “First of all, it is the confession of Josyf Slipyj, his sufferings and firmness in acknowledging his faith, which have come to epitomize the abolished, but never suppressed, church. This component of Patriarch Slipyj’s personality should be given much attention,” Cardinal Husar stressed. “Secondly,” he continued, “it is academic work that played such a significant role in the patriarch’s life. He was one of the few to have made so great a contribution to the acquisition of scholarly assets by the church. After he became rector of the Lviv Theological Academy, Josyf Slipyj dedicated much time to educating priests. “Finally, it was the patriarch’s desire to revive the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church as well as to clarify its objectives and identity both in Eastern Europe and in the Catholic Church on the whole.” The head of the UGCC called upon the clergy, monks, nuns and believers “to spend this time reflecting upon the examples given by such distinguished personalities as Metropolitan Andrey [Sheptytsky] and Patriarch Slipyj in order to encourage yourselves to strive for perfection.” Source: press service of the UGCC