While Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Bergoglio had a close relationship with the head of the local Argentinian eparchy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk. As the UGCC is in full communion with Rome, there are rumors that Bishop Shevchuk will be made a cardinal at Pope Francis’ first consistory on Feb. 22 when prelates are traditionally given “the red hat.” It’s important to note that the various Eastern Rite Catholic churches (distinct from the Orthodox ones) are fully united with the church of Rome and so are just as Catholic as the historically Latin churches are. If Pope Francis does in fact name Shevchuk a cardinal, he will be younger even than a relatively unknown prelate named Karol Wojtyla was when he was named Cardinal of Krakow at 47. There is a good chance then that Shevchuk could vote in multiple future conclaves.
The Eastern churches have their own liturgy, prayers, devotions, and saintly heroes – all of which are rightly recognized by Rome. One of the most revered in Ukraine and Belarus is Josaphat Kuntsevych.
Josaphat was born into a rather complex reality of 500-year old tension between the East and Rome, after the Great Schism of 1054. Josaphat, originally raised by Orthodox parents with antipathy toward the pope, became a Basilian monk and eventual Archbishop of Polotsk in Belarus after the Union of Brest in 1596. He was regarded as a heroic leader of the Eastern branch of the church who wanted to re-establish communion with the papacy. By his own study, preaching, and virtuous life, he helped reinvigorate the religious sentiments among the Ruthenian peoples in his city. He walked a delicate political and theological tightrope, rejecting the anti-West prejudices of many local people of his day, but also remaining unwilling to compromise the unique spirituality of Byzantine Christianity.
However, not all of his countrymen were keen on developing any kind of closer ties with Rome. He knew he was likely in great danger from those opposed to his views, but he refused to flee his fellow believers and disciples. On Nov. 12, 1623, a mob of those opposed to reconciliation with the pope attacked Josaphat. He was bludgeoned with an axe and eventually shot. Almost immediately reports began to spread of miracles attributed to his posthumous intercession. Twenty years after his death, he was beatified and Pius IX canonized him in 1867.
The ministry and death of St. Josaphat remain a powerful testimony to the splendors, vibrancy, and storied traditions of Eastern Catholicism. Say a little prayer for ever-greater Christian unity this week on the anniversary of his giving his life for the cause.
Michael M. Canaris, Ph.D., of Collingswood, is a Research Associate at Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies in Northeast England.
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