Archbishop Cyril Vasil, SJ Appointed New Apostolic Administrator Sede Plena of the Eparchy of Kosice

VATICAN — Pope Francis appointed today His Excellency Archbishop Cyril Vasil, SJ as the new Apostolic Administrator "sede plena" of the Eparchy of Kosice in Slovakia. Archbishop Vasil has previously served as Secretary of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches in Rome.

The appointment was published by the Holy See Press Conference on Monday, January 20, 2020 at noon.

BIOGRAPHY

Cyril Vasil, SJ was born on April 10, 1965 in Kosice, Slovakia. He was accepted to the seminary in 1982 and he graduated Ss. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Faculty of Theology in Bratislava in 1987. He was ordained a priest on June 14, 1987. The very same year he was able to escape Czechoslovakia and after his arrival in Italy, Vasil began his studies at the Law Faculty of the Pontifical Eastern Institute (PIO) in Rome.

In 1989 he obtained a canon law license and the following year he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Genoa, Italy. In 1992, as a Jesuit, he continued his doctoral studies in Rome. In 1994 he received a doctorate in canon law from PIO. Since 2002 he has been the Dean and Vice-Rector of the PIO and in 2007 he was appointed the Rector of the PIO.

In 2009 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cyril Vasil as Secretary of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches in Rome, with a consequent appointment as a titular Archbishop of Ptolemy in Libya. He received ordination to the rank of bishop on June 14, 2009 from the hands of Bishop Slavomir Miklovš - exactly 22 years after his priestly ordination from the hands of the same bishop. His episcopal motto "Parati Semper" ("Always Ready") corresponds to his active involvement in the Scouting Federation of Europe. Archbishop Cyril Vasil is the author of numerous books and articles and regularly cooperates with the Vatican Radio.

Photos: Peter Hric / Byzantinos
Sources: www.vatican.va / www.vaticannews.va / www.tkkbs.sk / www.grkatke.sk / www.byzantinos.org