Those who attended the recent General Meeting of the Ukrainian Catholic Laymen, September 29, 1973, in New York, N. Y. witnessed the vitality of the Patriarchal movement and the deep interest of the laymen in Church affairs. No longer is this area left alone to the priests and the hierarchy. The Ukrainian Catholics have taken into their hearts the responsibility for the Church’s fate and Her affairs.
Approximately 260 delegates from various parts of the country, as well as Canada, participated in the deliberation of the Meeting, presided over by Drs. M. Barusevych, R. Osinchuk and O. Koltun. The welcoming telegram from His Beautitude, Joseph Cardinal Slipyj , Archbishop Major of the Ukrainian Catholic Church was read and accepted with a thunderous applause.
Four invited speakers presented their views on the present state of affairs in the Ukrainian Particular Catholic Church. Dr. M. Nawrockyj, President of the Partriarchal Society, subjected to a critical overview the passive attitude of the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy in the United States toward the implementation of the rules and regulations of the Particular Church. It was especially indicated that the hierarchy and clergy are hesitant in introducing the Partriarchal title of the Archbishop Major into the Liturgy.
Another speaker, Dr. P. Bilaniuk, from Toronto, Canada, emphasized several important factors which make our Church a Particular (Pomisna) Church. These factors are of a material and formal nature. For the area of the .formal particularity of our Church—the use of Her rights, privileges, as well as the separate life of the Church including Her defense against all intrusions from the outside— require an immediate implementation.” Dr. Y. Kryniak from Cleveland, Ohio, outlined the mode of action of Ukrainian Catholics for the second decade of the patriarchal movement. Specifically, he called for the creation of a single seminary for all Ukrainian Catholic clerics, as well as a dialogue between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and our brethren in the Pittsburg (Munhall) Eparchy.
In his remarks, Mr. S. Procyk entertained the need for the independence of the patriarchal movement from the political life of the Ukrainian community as well as from the direct control by the Church hierarchy.
Fundamentally, the speakers presented their views in the form of summaries, while the full text of most of the presentations were printed in advance in the journal of the Patriarchal Society.
In the discussion, that followed, several participants including our dear friends Rev. Prof. G. Maloney and Prof. T. Bird, called for vigilance and sacrifice toward achieving the goals of the Society. From these discussions, it became evident that the Roman Curia is actively interfering with the Archbishop Major’s attempts to call the next Synod of the Ukrainian Hierarchy. Such a Synod, which would include also the presence of priests and laymen, should convene regardless of whether the Vatican gives its approval. The next Synod, Prof. Bird said, should proclaim the Archbishop Major-Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Several Ukrainian priests and distinguished guests were seen among the participants of this constructively organized Meeting. It is regrettable that neither the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in the USA nor their representatives could find the time or interest in the program which was dedicated to the future of the Church they are to lead.
