JOSYF SLIPYI AND HIS ROLE IN REBUILDING OF GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH IN EMIGRATION

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to highlight the activities of Metropolitan, Cardinal and Patriarch Josyf Slipyi in the development of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the diaspora. Research methodology. The work uses the principles of historicism, scientificity, and objectivity; prosopographic, comparative and statistical methods. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the article comprehensively highlights the activities of Josyf Slipyi in strengthening and uniting Ukrainians in the diaspora through the development of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in places where Ukrainians live compactly in different countries of the world. Conclusions. After his release from the Bolshevik concentration camps, where he was held for 18 years, and his arrival at the Vatican, Metropolitan Josyf Slipyi became active in the development of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the diaspora and the protection of millions of Ukrainians in the Soviet Union. In order to draw attention to the situation of Ukrainians and the persecuted Church in the USSR, he participated in various public events. He met with heads of state, famous European and American politicians, religious and cultural figures. The second important direction of the metropolitan's activity was the development of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Europe and America. The goal was to preserve the Byzantine rite in worship, the Ukrainian language, culture, and the unity of the Ukrainian diaspora.For this purpose, Josyf Slipyi visited places of compact residence of Ukrainians in Europe, North and South America, and Australia. He founded the Ukrainian Catholic University in Rome for the professional training of the Greek Catholic clergy. In order to consolidate the Ukrainian clergy, joint synods of bishops from different countries were held. Josyf Slipyi’s speech at the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1963, at which he demanded the granting of patriarchate status to the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, was of great importance. Such measures contributed to the development of the administrative and church structure, the preservation of the Ukrainian language, the Byzantine rite, and the culture of Ukrainians in the diaspora.