Lviv Theological Academy rectors take message to North America

CHICAGO - "The Ukrainian diaspora's affability and compassion encourages us, Ukrainians in Ukraine, to continue with our mission. These bridges of communication and interaction which have been forged throughout the course of our visit, are very important for us all, especially today, during these trying times of dynamic changes and critical situations," said the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak, vice-rector of the Lviv Theological Academy, during his recent visit to North America.

For more than a month, the rector of the Lviv Theological Academy, the Rev. Dr. Mykhailo Dymyd, and the Rev. Gudziak, traveled throughout North America, visiting various universities, cultural centers and Ukrainian parishes, as well as meeting with numerous bishops, Church dignitaries and representatives of lay organizations. The LTA rectors spread the good news about the Church in Ukraine to cities across the continent, including Washington, New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco and Toronto.

The Shevchenko Scientific Society welcomed the rectors in New York and Chicago. The Revs. Dymyd and Gudziak presented lectures titled "Ukrainian Christianity in the Third Millennium: Tradition, Vision, Leadership."

The Rev. Dymyd discussed the activity of the Lviv Theological Academy and the historical context of its founding. He elaborated on the current status of theological studies in post-Soviet Ukraine.

Announcing the recent accreditation of the LTA by the Congregation of Catholic Education in Rome, the Rev. Dymyd stressed the significance this event holds for all Ukrainians: "Ukrainian scholarship, not only in theology, has made a giant step forward thanks in large part to the academy's accreditation, which truly is a historic event."

Prof. Vasyl Markus, editor of the Encyclopedia of the Ukrainian Diaspora, organized the lecture in Chicago. Prof. Markus, commenting on the LTA's accreditation, said: "Previously, there has been no process to accredit seminaries and theological academies in Ukraine. This [LTA accreditation] could move the Verkhovna Rada to issue legislation. State education policy is definitely moving towards official recognition."

Mykola Haliv, editor of Patriarchate, hosted the rectors in New York City.

At several stops on the tour the Rev. Gudziak had the opportunity to present his new book, "Crisis and Reform: the Kyivan Metropolitanate, the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Genesis of the Union of Brest," notably at Harvard University's Ukrainian Research Institute and the Library of Congress. This groundbreaking study, published by the HURI, brings to light one of the most widely discussed issues in Ukrainian academic and ecclesial circles, namely, the interpretation of the Union of Brest, established in 1596 between Ukrainian and Belarusian hierarchs and the Holy See.

In Washington the Ukrainian delegation met with James Billington, the Librarian of Congress. Mr. Billington, a Slavic historian, was very forthcoming to his guests and expressed a sincere interest in the city of Lviv and the Lviv Theological Academy. Jurij Dobczansky, a Ukrainian specialist at the Library of Congress, invited the Rev. Gudziak to present his book.

While in Washington, the Rev. Gudziak met with Melanne Verveer, Hillary Clinton's chief of staff and an American of Ukrainian descent, at the White House. A year ago, Ms. Verveer visited Lviv with the First Lady. She recalled her visit fondly: she was especially touched by the tour of St. George's Cathedral and meetings with Ukrainians who suffered under the Soviets.

"Our delegation was very warmly received, and we were grateful for Ms. Verveer's willingness to offer cooperative assistance," related Bryon Brindel of the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF). "Ms. Verveer expressed a sincere interest in the development of Lviv, the mayor's responsibilities to the people of the city and the activities of the Lviv Theological Academy," he added.

At various stages of the trip, Prof. Jeffrey Wills, Illya Labunka, and Mr. Brindel, all officers of the UCEF , accompanied the rectors of the LTA. The UCEF disseminates information on the needs and activities of the Church in Ukraine to a large and diverse community in America and Canada. The UCEF also works with Ukrainian institutions like the LTA by providing financial assistance, library collections, computers and other teaching materials, and by implementing exchange programs for students and faculty.

The two priests from Ukraine made a tremendous effort to visit as many Ukrainian communities in North America as possible. The Rev. Dymyd reflected: "Our goal was to visit Ukrainians abroad and simply to let them know more about the Lviv Theological Academy."

The rectors were greatly assisted in their efforts by leaders of the Ukrainian Patriarchal Society, including Wasyl Kolodchin the society's president, as well as Oksana Berezhnycky (Buffalo, N.Y.), Roma Dyhdalo (Detroit), Roma Hayda (Bridgeport, Conn.), and Alexander Pryshlak (Hartford, Conn.).

"We have grown closer to the diaspora," commented the Rev. Dymyd. "By visiting Ukrainian parishes, we sensed - and we hope that the diaspora, too, realizes - the LTA is an institution not only for Ukraine but for Ukrainian communities abroad."

The Rev. Gudziak, who was ordained in November 1998, was especially grateful for the opportunity to visit his native town of Syracuse, N.Y. He was able to spend Christmas with his parents and to celebrate divine liturgy at the parish of St. John the Baptist.

"Every parish welcomed us generously," said the Rev. Gudziak. "Today, the only news the diaspora hears from Ukraine is about the dysfunctional political system and socio-economic problems; for this reason, the positive news about the LTA was received everywhere with exultation. We also met with many non-Ukrainians, Church leaders and intellectuals, and discovered a profound sense of understanding among them."

The positive perception of the LTA in the American Roman Catholic community was manifested in meetings with two of the most influential Roman Catholics in the country: Cardinal John O'Connor, archbishop of New York, and Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago.

Cardinal O'Connor promised to assist the continuing development of the LTA and expressed a genuine desire to visit Lviv.

Cardinal George has for a long time been a keen observer of events in Ukraine, particularly with respect to relations between Catholics and Orthodox. He recently wrote an open letter, informing tens of thousands of Roman Catholics in America about the Church in Ukraine and encouraging the American community to offer its assistance.

Both cardinals serve on the advisory board of the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation.

Besides visiting the diaspora and Roman Catholic communities, the rectors also took the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the life of seminarians in North America. The Revs. Dymyd and Gudziak visited Ukrainian Catholic seminaries in Ottawa and Stamford, Conn. They were able to gain important first-hand knowledge and to compare conditions and curricula with seminaries in Ukraine.

In Ottawa, the two priests were greeted by the Rev. Andrij Chirovsky, director of the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies. He shared with his guests the challenges he has encountered in establishing and developing the Sheptytsky Institute.

In Stamford, Bishop Basil Losten received the Revs. Dymyd and Gudziak.

For nearly 50 years during the Soviet occupation, Ukraine was completely isolated from the rest of the world. Today, it is imperative to establish specialized programs, academic and cultural, designed to bring Ukrainian students together with Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian communities abroad. The Lviv Theological Academy is helping to create a place for Ukraine in the international community. "We were very pleased with this trip," said the Rev. Dymyd, "and we hope to send more visitors from our academy to America in the future."

For more information contact: Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622-4828, telephone, (773) 235-8462; fax, (773) 235-8464; e-mail, UCEFCHGO@aol.com; website, http://www. hermes.richmond.edu/ucef/

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 25, 1999, No. 17, Vol. LXVII

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