Our hopes and spiritual aspirations seemed fantastic. But a faith journey is believing that God wants us to live in His Kingdom. Much was accomplished because together we believed in God’s presence among us.
The sustainability of the eparchial projects is predicated on this faith. Seven years ago, I went through a departure from a rather ambitious spiritual endeavor when I left the position of rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv to come to Paris. Some believed that this might imperil aspects of UCU’s life. In fact, the opposite happened: once I became bishop in Paris, the university developed exponentially. I hope that will also happen in the Paris Eparchy (laughs).
The most important thing is to continue to foster a spirit of responsibility, mutual trust, and transparency in spiritual life, Church governance, and stewardship. It is important to speak clearly in truth but to do so gently, with mercy. In an eparchy that stretches almost 2000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles) from north to south and from east to west, with small, dispersed missions, spiritual unity is essential. We came together as often as we could: the clergy and lay leaders from the five countries met almost once a month for three days in a monastery. In addition, as I mentioned before, we held eight eparchial councils (diocesan synods) over the last four years. These councils ceased being special occasions and became a regular forum for decision-making and governance—priests, religious, and lay women and men including the youth, jointly discerned God’s will and shared responsibility with the bishop. I trust that this practice, now embedded in the corporate culture of the Paris Eparchy, will not be lost easily. I also hope that synodality will be the way of life of the Church in the United States and globally. This modality has been repeatedly encouraged by the pope.
What do you fear most? What is your greatest concern?
In general, I try to fend off fear—except a healthy fear of God. Fear is a bad advisor. Generally, it either paralyzes or leads to aggression. The Church should always be concerned with two fundamental and interconnected dangers: a loss of faith and the waning of prayer. Without faith we do not have the life of the Church; without prayer we cannot foster our relationship with God. Then everything crumbles. I remain mindful that petty vices can create big problems: envy among clergy and laity; the impatience and self-promotion of talented people; unbridled passions, especially anger; self-referential rhetoric and reflections; the creation of cliques or parties among the faithful. Pope Francis speaks regularly about these issues. They can arise anywhere. The danger of ignoring real problems is also a concern. These are the instruments of the evil one with which he undermines the building of the Kingdom. But my confidence in God and my brothers and sisters on both sides of the ocean is greater than my fear.
Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, ordinary of the London Eparchy for Great Britain and Ireland, became the Apostolic Administrator of the Paris Eparchy. How would you introduce him to your faithful?
I am thrilled that the Holy Father named Bishop Hlib Lonchyna of London as Apostolic Administrator of the Paris Eparchy until a new bishop is chosen. Bishop Hlib is a monk and a man of the Word of God. He is an accomplished celebrant and student of the liturgy, a highly respected retreat master, and a man of broad culture. He is also a gifted musician and speaks many languages, including French, sonorously. Bishop Hlib is clear in his doctrine and generous in his mercy. Crucially, he knows the Paris Eparchy well—he visited us regularly, served and preached in different parishes, and taught us many things in the last years. He knows personally the priests and their families, and they know him. He brings joy to our faithful. I hope once he comes I won’t be forgotten too soon (laughs).