Chrysostom Apostles-Dormition: Fr John Salter writes....

Chrysostom Summer 2013

 

The Newsletter of the Society of
St. John Chrysostom.

 

New Series Volume Fifteen

Dear Members and Friends,

       Since the last edition of Chrysostom there 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 In the Coptic Church Pope Shenouda III died and has been replaced by Pope Tawadros; and the Abuna Salama (Father of Peace)  Patriarch of Ethiopia has also been replaced, while  the Greek Patriarch of Antioch  and All The East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 Canterbury Archbishop Justin has been enthroned (twice) in the archdiocesan throne and on the Primatial throne of St Augustine.

     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 Vatican monsignore whether he would like to wear the 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 Argentina 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 North London, may remember meeting Peter.

                                      

               Yours sincerely in Dno.,

                                                    John Salter