The Vatican Recognizes 'Heroic Virtue' of Andrey Sheptytsky, Who Hid More Than 100 Jewish Children During WWII
Official Vatican news organs have reported that Pope Francis has affixed his signature to a decree affirming the “venerable” status of Metropolitan Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky. The adjective “venerable”—and great deal many other synonyms—are undeniably apt in the case of the great cleric. As Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church he led the church through four decades of strife (1900-1944), war, and multiple foreign occupations. In the absence of an elected political elite, Sheptytsky, was a defacto political leader in Western Ukraine.
This designation comes two weeks before the anniversary of Sheptytsky’s 150th birthday, and recognizes that Sheptytsky lived a heroic life of Christian virtue. This recognition is an introductionary step in the beatifcation process that would lead to his canonization as a saint. It is also an obvious ecumenical olive branch proffered by the clericy in Rome to their Eastern Rite Orthodox brethren. The gesture has been warmly welcomed and has excited many people across spectra of Ukranian society—from Kiev and Lviv, to Toronto and Chicago—which is in line with Sheptytsky’s own storied interest in strengthening ecumenical bonds between various branches of the church.