Chrysostom Summer
2013
The Newsletter
of the Society of
Chrysostom.
New Series
Volume Fifteen
Dear
Members and Friends,
Since the last edition ofChrysostomthere has been
a general post of Popes, Patriarchs, and Primates – Pope Benedict XVI has retired,
Pope Francis has been inaugurated in St.Peter’s basilica and in the Lateran,
with special emphasis on his role as Bishop of Rome. In the Coptic Church Pope
Shenouda III died and has been replaced by Pope Tawadros; and the Abuna Salama
(Father of Peace) Patriarch of Ethiopia
has also been replaced, while the Greek
Patriarch of Antioch and All The East
has now been enthroned in Damascus. In
Archbishop Justin has been enthroned (twice) in the archdiocesan throne and on
the Primatial throne of
These new
Christian leaders have wasted no time in making contact with each other. In the
case of the Coptic Pope he seems to have reversed the attitude of Pope Shenouda
III in that he appears to be on the way to recognizing the validity of Catholic
baptism, although the recognition of mixed marriages between Copts and other
Christians, including Roman Catholics, has not yet been resolved. Seemingly,
Pope Tawadros is quite different from Pope Shenouda III in his attitude towards
the ecumenical movement.
It is said
that on his election to the Chair of Peter, Pope Francis was asked by a
scarlet mozetta lined with ermine. “No, Monsignore,” the Pope replied. “You
wear it. The Carnival is over!”. At his inauguration the Holy Father wore very
simple white vestments and it is said that whereas Pope Pius XII dined entirely
alone, not even sitting down to eat with Emperors or Kings, Pope Francis joins the queue at the Vatican
canteen. His choice of name would seem to point to the style of ministry he
will follow, that of the Pavorello of Assisi and not that of “A Renaissance
Prince”.
The Holy
Father and Archbishop Justin have not let the grass grow under their feet and
have met very early on in their ministry. The question of the Ordinariate seems
to have been satisfactorily resolved, and A.R.C.I.C. is set to continue.
Pope
Francis is very familiar with the Eastern Catholic Churches and is a friend,
from
days, with Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. At his
inauguration the Holy Father gathered together the Patriarchs of the Eastern
Catholic Churches at the tomb of St Peter, rather than the Latin Cardinals; and
perhaps this indicates a new position for the Eastern Catholic Churches
regarding their autonomy. There seems to be
interesting times ahead !
I am
pleased to be able to tell you that we have an Acting Secretary to the Society of St. John Chrysostom. He is:
Mr Peter Pidjarkowskyj Bykar, the son of the late
Father Deacon Bykar, who although a Ukrainian was ordained as a Deacon in the
Latin Church. Members who attended
Father Deacon’s funeral at St. Peter-in-Chains in
London
Yours sincerely in Dno.,
John
Salter