Rubin, Slipyj exchange indicates Vatican warning to Ukrainians (12/26/82)

Rubin, Slipyj exchange indicates Vatican warning to Ukrainians

VATICAN CITY - An exchange of letters between the prefect of the Holy Eastern Congregation, Cardinal Wladislaw Rubin, and Patriarch Josyf Slipyj of the "Pomisna" Ukrainian Catholic Church during the summer months reveals that the Vatican has apparently issued a warning to the Ukrainian Church.

Cardinal Rubin made three main points in his letter to the chancery of the primate of the Ukrainian Catholic Church: a Ukrainian Patriarchate has not been established, and to maintain that one does exist is a distortion of the truth; the Synod of Bishops can be convened only with the consent of the pope, and it cannot elect bishops - it can only present a list of candidates; the successor to Cardinal Slipyj as archbishop of Lviv has already been selected in the person of Archbishop-Coadjutor Myroslav Lubachivsky.

Patriarch Josyf asserted in his reply: "Even when I am no longer here among the living, no power in this world and no institution will have the force to stop that irreversible process which will lead to the recognition of the Ukrainian Patriarchate. This patriarchate is neither a gift, nor a concession, nor an effect of any political, diplomatic or alchemic machination. The patriarchate is a holy thing and a sacred right of the Particular (Pomisna) Ukrainian Church which is an organic part of the Mystical Body of Christ."

Cardinal Rubin's letter, dated July 6, was written on the recommendation of Pope John Paul II. Copies were sent to all Ukrainian Uniate bishops reminding "all concerned of their grave obligation to abide by the directives issued by the Holy See."

Cardinal Rubin also criticized the pastoral letter written on the occasion of the patriarch's 90th birthday, which was addressed, in the first place, to the faithful in Ukraine.

The patriarch's response to Cardinal Rubin, written six days later, includes the following statement: "As shepherd of my Church - having been imprisoned for many years - I realize what the suffering and persecuted children of my Church want; it is my right and duty to come to their aid. I find myself astonished that you seem to be undermining my pastoral care."

The patriarch also noted that the tone of Cardinal Rubin's letter is offensive to the Ukrainian Catholic Church and to him personally as head of that Church.

Excerpts from Cardinal Rubin's letter (in English translation, as published in The Herald of Winnipeg on December 1) follow.

"1. First of all, as regards the establishment of a patriarchate in the Catholic Church: it is common knowledge that the right to establish a patriarchate is reserved to an Ecumenical Council and to the Holy See. Now it is evident that the proposal to establish a Ukrainian Patriarchate has been accepted neither by an Ecumenical Council nor by the Holy See. To maintain, therefore, as some do, that a Ukrainian Patriarchate exists is a forcing or a distortion of the truth, which can only serve to generate confusion and division in people's minds. On this point clarity and objectivity is necessary, if it is desired to restore peace and concord in the Ukrainian community.

"Moreover, the non-acceptance of a decision of the Holy See, expressed either by word of mouth, in writing or in deed, is an act of insubordination and, as such, is to be refused by anyone who professes himself a loyal Catholic. Every Catholic must keep himself from taking up positions damaging to the authority of the Holy See and from assuming attitudes calculated to sow discontent or to provoke indiscipline.

"2. As regards the Synod of Bishops: this institution represents a special concession of the Holy Father to the Ukrainian Church. But it is necessary to stand by the terms of the concession, for it is on the basis of these terms that the Synod of the Ukrainian hierarchy has a well-defined character. In particular, it can be convoked only with the consent of the holy father, which is to be obtained each time a meeting is contemplated; and it cannot elect bishops but only present a list of candidates, as occasion arises.

"3. As regards a successor of His Eminence Cardinal Slipyj in the See of Lviv: such a successor has already been provided in the person of the coadjutor, His Excellency Msgr. Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky. Any reference, therefore, to the possibility of another hierarch having rights equal to, or higher than, those of the holder of the Major Archepiscopal See of Lviv, is without value."

Writing the letter in his own hand in order to "prove that I personally am still capable of giving a reply and not my chancery," the Patriarch Josyf responded with the following.

"The tone of your letter seems to insult and offend my Church and myself as its head and father. Really, does this constitute a gift on my 90th birthday? Further, your letter was addressed to my chancery - that I find offensive; after all, it insinuates that I am only an instrument in its hands. Do you assume that I am already a living corpse?

"Because of the importance of your letter, which contains the accusation of insubordiantion and unloyalty to the Apostolic See of Rome, I find myself answering it not in every particular aspect but confine myself to a more detailed reply which may take the form of:

"a. rejection of your letter - fine de non recevoir - in order to defend my personal honor and the dignity of the Ukrainian Church, and also the dignity of the congregation which you head; or:

"b. direct intervention to the holy father. It would be a complaint of a person who, for his loyalty to the apostolic See of Rome, has spent 18 years of his life in the prisons and internment camps of that atheistic regime to which your letter, regrettably, renders a service.

"It pains me that my personal confidence in Your Eminence has been undermined by this unforatunate letter. It pains me even more, Eminence, because we are both inflicting mutual harm; for I fear that this letter will become a stumbling block in the relations between our Churches and our peoples - Ukrainian and Polish."

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