Tobi hospodi

Archbishop Mechyslav Mokshytskyi, archbishop of the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, announced to the 35th Conference of the Latin Rite bishops of the Ukraine that Pope Benedict XVI intends to visit the Ukraine in 2012.

The Holy Father will be there to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the transfer of the transfer of the Episcopal capital from Halych to Lviv. He will also participate in the closing of the Ukraine's Eucharistic Congress. The Vatican hopes to develop huminitarian and cultural relations with the Ukraine during the papal visit.

As one who frequents the Ukrainian Byzantine rite of the Catholic Church, I am thrilled to hear that "our most holy and universal Supreme Pontiff, Benedict, Pope of Rome", will be visiting the Ukraine. At the same time, I understand the implications that this visit has regarding the often rocky relationship between the Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow.

While relations with the Russian Orthodox Church have improved significantly under Patriarch Kirill I (after the very confrontational relationship that the late-Patriarch Alexy II had with Ven. John Paul II), Moscow still has concerns about the western patriarch celebrating liturgies in the Ukraine where attitudes between Catholics and Orthodox Christians remain tense.

Pray for the speedy reunification of East and West, and pray that the Holy Father's visit to the Ukraine will be a success.

In the meantime, here's an example of the beautiful Ukrainian chants that I have come to love (though it cannot take the place of the wonderful Gregorian chant).

Enjoy: