Pope greets pilgrims from the
Ukrainian Eparchy of Mukachevo
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| Pope Francis at the General Audience of 11 December, 2019 (Vatican Media) |
Before the General Audience on Wednesday morning Pope
Francis greets a group of Ukrainian pilgrims from the Byzantine Greek-Catholic
Eparchy of Mukachevo, marking 30 years from the end of Soviet oppression.
By Linda Bordoni
The Byzantines’ Greek-Catholic Eparchy of
Mukachevo arose from the Union of Uzhhorod, which set roots in the north
eastern part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire half way through the 17th century.
Subsequently, the Eparchy of Mukachevo was established officially by Pope
Clement XIV in 1771.
Throughout the centuries the territory, which lies in the
Transcarpathia region in south-western Ukraine, has seen numerous changes in
which new eparchies have been created and the territory divided.
Finally, in 1937 the Eparchy of Mukachevo became “immediately
subject to the Holy See” and this year it is celebrating the 30th anniversary
since the end of Soviet domination which forced the Church underground.
In his address to the pilgrims whom he received in the
Vatican before the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis marked the
anniversary, upholding the witness of the many Mukachevo martyrs, whom he said,
“confirmed their fidelity to Christ, to the Church and to the Bishop of Rome”
in the darkest moments of the community’s history.
Blessed Martyr Bishop Theodor Romzha
In particular he recalled the Blessed Martyr, Bishop Theodor
Romzha, whom he described as “a tireless man who followed the example of Christ
the Good Shepherd, to the point of giving his life for his sheep.”
He guided your people “with evangelical wisdom and courage,”
he told them.
Ancestors
Pope Francis also highlighted the legacy of the ancestors of
the community: “your grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers, who in
the intimacy of their homes, and often under the watchful eye of the hostile
regime, risked their freedom and their lives.”
It is thanks to them, he said, that Christ’s truth was
transmitted, offering future generations “an eloquent witness of firm, living
faith”.
The Pope concluded his address inviting the members of the
community, wherever they may be, to renew their personal encounter with Christ,
or “at least, to make the decision to let yourselves be met by Him, to seek Him
every day without interruption.”
And quoting from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii
gaudium he said “No one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.”
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