(condensed from “The Herald” Melbourne, Australia, February 24, 1973)
There is little to betray the 25 years that Cardinal Joseph Slipyj, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and spiritual leader of 50 million of his countrymen, spent in Soviet labor camps. At 81 he looks years younger with his face showing barely a wrinkle and his thick hair displaying a few distinguishing touches of gray.
Near death when he was released in 1963. Cardinal Slipyj, the sole survivor of the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy, has made a remarkable recovery and has lived on to build a university for his displaced countryment in Rome and travel the world visiting his flock.
Cardinal Slipyj is almont a character from the pages of Morris West’s book “The Shoes of the Fisherman.” “Except I am not the Pope.”, he said.
He speaks little of his imprisonment. He was released upon the intervention of Pope John with the understanding that he would not make statements against the Soviet Union. But 10 years later, not being able to tolerate the continuing situation, he began a series of attacks on the Soviet Union. Concerning his imprisonment he said “It was not in vain. I would do it again, if I had to. I have always followed my beliefs.”
Suddenly the memories came flooding back. He told of his consecration as archbishop in 1939 and his second and final arrest in 1945. The memories were tiring and he was beginning to show his age. He excused himself from further talk and left.