Proclamation of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate 7.4.2011. (video)
On 5 April 2011, the Bishops’ Synod of the Ukrainian orthodox Greek-Catholic Church held an assembly in Zhovkva (Ukraine). The Synod considered the issue of the critical state of the Catholic Church, concerning primarily violation of the saving faith and acceptance of a new teaching and a different spirit which is contrary to the fundamental truths of the Gospel and the Apostolic Tradition. The Synod resolved to establish a personal Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate.
The purpose of the newly established Patriarchate is to unite all believers who desire to preserve the sacred deposit of the Catholic faith, regardless of their nationality or belonging to any of the Catholic Churches or traditions. Archbishop Elijah Anthony Dohnal OSBMr was elected the first Patriarch. The new Patriarchate also incorporates the Ukrainian orthodox Greek-Catholic Church which continues to be headed by Archbishop Michael Osidach.
What to say? Just what the Blessed Virgin said: I am the bondslave of the Lord. So I say: I am the bondslave of the Lord. I am aware of the situation in the Church … the cross, death, but then resurrection too. It will be a fight involving the cross, spiritual and maybe even physical death but then also resurrection. God knows what His plans are, what will come. God gives His word, God gives His strength, and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the work. Important is that I do what God wants me to do. I know how God speaks to the souls of those who listen to Him. If we are really open to listen to Him, God then gives us still other impulses. HE shall lead us. But we need to walk in God’s Spirit like the Blessed Virgin, and that is the obedience of faith. And whether one is a patriarch or an ordinary woman in the church, that’s not important. What is important for us is to do the will of God so that when we once stand before His judgement seat, before God, we can render an account for our life. God has chosen us to be the voice of prophecy in this time and to proclaim and defend God’s laws, even if our heads should be cut off like the head of John the Baptist. Pray for me that I may be as God likes, not a traitor like Judas but like the apostle John who stood by the cross and was not only an apostle but a prophet too. We believe in Jesus’ resurrection. We believe that this work is from God, and through your faith and my faith, through your steps of faith, both the Church and the nation shall see restoration and resurrection. Glory to Jesus Christ!
