EDITORIAL (12/31/78)

EDITORIAL

1978 - a good year

Looking back at 1978, one can safely and honestly say that it was a good year. On individual, local and national levels, the Ukrainians in the free world displayed an understanding of the necessity of theur commitment to the Ukrainian heritage.

Probably the single most important event for the community in the free world was the convening of the Third World Congress of Free Ukrainians. Some 500 Ukrainians from four continents gathered in New York City to jointly plot the future course of the community. The spirit of harmony, tolerance and consensus which pervaded the deliberations, much to the dislike of the Soviet government, contributed to its successful conclusion. The Third WCFU is proof that the Ukrainian community's leaders and the rank-and-file membership realize that in unity there is strength.

The Ukrainian National Association held its 29th Regular Convention, which resulted in the election of a new Supreme Assembly, headed by Dr. John O. Flis. Veteran UNA'ers feel that the convention will do much to stimulate even more activity in the UNA. As Dr. Flis said in his acceptance speech, there were no losers at the convention, just one winner - the UNA.

On the cultural scene, the Ukrainian community was replete with a kaleidoscope of festivals, fairs, displays, concerts and exhibits, each bringing a bit of the Ukrainian heritage closer to our hearts and the hearts of non-Ukrainians.

Ukrainian youths continued to show interest in their heritage. It is safe to say that, in many cases, Ukrainian festivals, fairs, university courses, demonstrations and other samples of external activity of the community would not have been initiated if it were not for the many Ukrainian youths and students who have worked hard to tell the world that they are proud of being Ukrainian.

While the situation in Ukraine did not improve last year - on the contrary, repressions by Moscow increased - Ukrainians in the West again heeded the call of their kin in the native land and rose in their defense. Demonstrations, manifestations, petitions, appeals, visits with legislators and defense resolutions were just some of the tools used by Ukrainians in the free world in their attempts to alleviate the plight of Ukrainian human and national rights activists in Ukraine.

These activities might seem similar to what has been going on in the Ukrainian community in the West for many years, but taken in light of the critical situation faced by Ukrainians behind the iron curtain it is a tribute to the community in the West that it has not fallen victim to apathy, but has energetically responded to Soviet threats. The community's activity over the past year is also proof that activity in the future will not subside.

A great loss

Having celebrated earlier that day the joyous Divine Liturgy marking the birth of the Christ-Child, Archbishop-Metropolitan Joseph Schmondiuk passed away December 25 at the age of 66. We are deeply saddened by his death during this perhaps the happiest season of the year, not only because the metropolitan was a fine human being, but because he was a promising new leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States, as well.

It was just over a year ago, on December 1, 1978, that Archbishop Schmondiuk was installed as metropolitan by Archbishop Jean Jadot, apostolic delegate to the United States. In his Ukrainian- and English-language sermons that day, the new metropolitan had called for the preservation of the Ukrainian rite and traditions, persistent efforts toward the elevation of the "Pomisna" Ukrainian Catholic Church to the status of a patriarchate which referred to as the "undeniable desire of all Ukrainian people," and the intensive propagation of Christ's teachings on all levels.

Archbishop-Metropolitan Schmondiuk also remembered the persecuted faithful in Ukraine, saying that "our Church in the diaspora stands as a beacon of light for our persecuted brothers and sisters, and we must help them together with our Archbishop-Major Josyf Cardinal Slipy, who takes the place of our patriarch until duly appointed." We must help our brethren so that "after the suffering Friday, they may experience the Sunday of Resurrection," he said.

The metropolitan had but one short year to further the attainment of these all-important goals. And now the Ukrainian Catholic Church - indeed the entire Ukrainian community - have incurred a great loss, for they are bereft of the services of this idealistic clergyman.

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