Turning the pages back... November 25, 1980 (11/26/00)

Turning the pages back...

November 25, 1980

The First Regular Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, convened by Patriarch Josyf Slipyj with the approval of Pope John Paul II, was held in Rome on November 25 to December 2, 1980. The historic synod laid the cornerstone for the self-regulation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in accordance with the traditions of Eastern Churches and the resolutions of the Second Vatican Council.

The bishops drafted a document denying the legitimacy of the Lviv Synod of 1946 that in effect liquidated the Ukrainian Catholic Church and subordinated the faithful to the Russian Orthodox Church.

In reviewing the situation of the Catholic Church in Ukraine, the Synod issued a statement calling for the recognition of the rights of the Church in Ukraine as well as respect for the rights of the faithful, and issued a statement in support of the struggle brethren in Ukraine wage for the Church and their faith.

Among the other issues discussed at the Synod were: preparations for the celebration of the millennium of Christianity of Rus'-Ukraine; ecumenism and cooperation with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; vocations; translation of liturgical texts into Ukrainian as well as other languages; and the role of the laity in the Ukrainian Church.

The Synod culminated with separate audiences granted by the pope on December 1 to the bishops and the faithful.

Source: "Synod of bishops nominates episcopal candidates, denies legitimacy of 1946 Lviv Synod," The Ukrainian Weekly, December 14, 1980.

| Home Page |