Eastern Christianity at the papal funeral

The Eastern Catholic patriarchs sing the Panikhida prayers at Pope Francis’s funeral. The heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches were also present at Pope Benedict’s, St John Paul II’s and St John XXIII’s funeral.

The presence of Eastern Christianity –Catholic and Orthodox– demonstrates eloquently the universality and diversity of the Universal Church, a church breathing with both lungs.

The youngest cardinals

The youngest cardinals at the Funeral of Pope Francis:

Left is Cardinal Américo Aguiar, Portugal, 51; Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Melbourne, 45; on the right is Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, IMC, Mongolia, 50.

Cardinal Mykola Bychok is the Eparch of the Ukrainian eparchy, Melbourne, Australia.

Photo courtesy of Cardinal Mykola Bychok.

Pope Francis dies at 88

Statement of Kevin Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church on the death of Pope Francis:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

Ukrainian Catholic Leader Denounces Pope’s Plan for Ceremony With Russian Family

From the Wall Street Journal

“I consider such an idea untimely, ambiguous, and such that it does not take into account the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine” – Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church regarding plans for the Way of the Cross in Rome organized by the Vatican that involve Ukraine and Russia

The article from the WSJ by Francis X. Rocca (April 12, 2022)

Pope calls for Day of Prayer for Peace

Following the Pope’s Sunday Angelus address (23 January 2022), he called us to a day of prayer for peace:

“I am following with concern the increase of tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow to the peace in Ukraine, and call into question the security of the European continent, with wider repercussions. I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will, that they may raise prayers to God Almighty, that every political action and initiative may serve human brotherhood, rather than partisan interests. Those who pursue their own interests, to the detriment of others, disregard their human vocation, as we were all created as brothers and sisters. For this reason, and with concern, given the current tensions, I propose that next Wednesday, 26 January be a day of prayer for peace.

Dialogue and unity: the mission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Here is a summary of an article by Andrea Gagliarducci published by Acistampa in Italian on the recent meetings of representatives of the Synod of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome. The article is here. Thanks to Fr. Athanasius McKay for his notes.

“Pope Francis wants the Eastern Catholic Churches to grow, develop and flourish.” The Pope distinguished Eastern Catholic Churches from “Uniatism” as a method. Churches are not methods.

Instead of the old individual ad limina meetings, this represents a new methodology of the Pope and his curia meeting with the Major Archbishop and his synod together.

“It was clear to everybody that the war is a foreign aggression and that Ukraine is the victim.”

“The problem with ecumenism in Ukraine and in the whole territory of the ex-Soviet Union, is that decolonization has not yet happened. The Churches were often servants and instruments of the state authorities.”

“[our goals: the patriarchate, the beatification of Sheptytsky, etc.] are closer than they were three days ago.”

The Latin Church understands the concept of “Ecclesia particularis” as “local Church.” But at the meeting we had metropolitans from Canada, Brazil, USA, Poland. We are not a local Church but an “Ecclesia sui juris”, which is a global reality. This is a Byzantine concept of Catholic universalism.

“Metropolitan Sheptytsky was the first to fully realise the global nature of our Church. When he was metropolitan, our Church only had three eparchies in Western Ukraine. Now we have 34 eparchies throughout the world. It is also thanks to Metropolitan Sheptytsky, who was the first to make pastoral visits to the faithful throughout the world. We are harvesting the fruits that Metropolitan Sheptytsky planted.”

Pope’s prayer intention for March

For March, the Pope’s prayer intention is:
 
That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.
 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

May prayer intention of Pope Francis

The May prayer intention of the Pope reads:

“That the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.”

Join in prayer with Pope Francis and many others around the world for this intention.