Canadian parliament lauds memory of Ukrainian Catholic prelate

April 27, 2012

Canada’s House of Commons has voted unanimously to honor the memory of Archbishop Andrei Sheptytsky, the longtime leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, for his efforts to save Jew from the Nazi campaign of genocide during World War II.

Archbishop Sheptytsky became the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in 1900 at the age of just 35. His leadership over the Eastern-rite Church—by far the largest of the Eastern churches in communion with Rome—continued for a remarkable 44 years, until his death in 1944, and covered a period that saw Ukrainian Catholics come under brutal persecution from the Stalinist regime. During the 20th century tens of thousands of Ukrainian Catholics emigrated to Canada.

The Canadian parliamentary resolution praised the Ukrainian prelate for his “courageous actions, compassion for his oppressed Jewish Ukrainian countrymen, and enduring example of commitment to fundamental human rights as humankind's highest obligation.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Canada honours Andrey Sheptytsky for saving Jews (CCNS)