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The prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, sent a congratulatory message to Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, on the occasion of his enthronement. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the message in full below.
Your Excellency Bishop Milan Lach, bishop of the Eparchy of Parma of the Ruthenians, Your Excellency Archbishop Pierre, Your Excellency Archbishop Skurla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh of the Ruthenians, Your Excellencies, Reverend Fathers, venerated religious men and women, brothers and sisters in Christ,
I greet you with the expression so dear to the Eastern tradition, the Lord is risen! On June 1, the appointment of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, of His Excellency Bishop Milan Lach as bishop of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma was made public.
Your Excellency has been apostolic administrator sede vacante of this eparchy for a year and, therefore, this appointment as bishop of Parma is a sign of appreciation and confidence in Your Excellency’s person and work. The episcopal motto chosen by Your Excellency — “to serve” — is very brief but significant because it reflects the style that Jesus himself wished to assume during his earthly mission. Indeed, even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his own life in ransom for many.
My first wish, therefore, is that the Lord may always give Your Excellency the grace necessary to have the same sentiments that were in Christ Jesus in serving the portion of the People of God, with which Your Excellency has been entrusted, the dear Ruthenian faithful of the Eparchy of Parma.
Pope Francis loves to repeat that a bishop must be a witness of the Risen One. In Greek, it would be “martyr” of the Risen One. This is my second wish: that Your Excellency may give testimony before the People of God in the “modus docendi,” teaching office, “modus sanctificandi,” sanctifying office, and the “modus regendi,” governing office proper to the bishop, so that death has been definitely defeated and the world has already been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Finally, an affectionate greeting to the priests, the religious and all the Ruthenian faithful of the Eparchy of Parma.
We could say that the Ruthenian diaspora in the United States is a very ancient one, heir of a precious and meaningful ecclesial tradition. I am certain that all will know how to welcome the new bishop in a spirit of filial and fraternal collaboration. May Mary, Mother of the Church, bless Your Excellency and the beloved Ruthenian Church of Parma.
Vatican City, 25th of June 2018
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches
Caption: Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, (center) poses with lay faithful, representing the different parishes, missions and outreaches throughout the eparchy, at the end of his Divine Liturgy of Enthronement at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist June 30. (Photo: Reen Nemeth)
