Intervention of Mons. Bohdan DZYURAKH, Titular Bishop of Vagada, Curia Bishop of Kyiv-Halyč (UKRAINE)

I wish to draw attention to a particular aspect of the vocational pastoral, that is, that of the formation of the spiritual directors called on to carry out their mission in seminaries and religious educational institutes. The spiritual director has a determining role in the discernment of every vocation, he has a precise and fundamental responsibility in the path towards the maturing of each vocation which, in my opinion, certainly does not end at the moment of priestly ordination or the taking of the perpetual vows. I therefore ask a question: to what extent are we concerned about the formation of the future spiritual directors for the seminaries and religious institutes? I have the impression that very often the choice is made on the basis of an immediate need or the notion that such-and-such a priest is reasonably well-suited because he seems to have a good personal spiritual life. But where do we place the other attributes that are required and are no less important? Allow me therefore to suggest that we should all pay the closest attention to the formation of this precious and irreplaceable figure of the vocational pastoral, guaranteeing to those who are suited to the job all the theological and psychological instruments and anything else they might require through specialist training courses.
Above all, I want to express my most profound gratitude to the Latin bishops for their fraternal welcome for our faithful, for the concern they express for them, but, obviously, this is not simply about guaranteeing a “liturgical environment” and, I quote, “reinforcing the link with the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches in the countries they have emigrated to”, but of something more important and profound. The Eparchs in exercising their ministry cannot simply limit themselves to these guarantees nor a mere “visit”. I ask: can a father carry out his natural role as regards his far-flung children with a “visit”? The answer is more than obvious, because it is explicit. Therefore it is necessary to responsibly look more closely at this theme of the paternity of the Patriarchs and Eparchial Bishops and identify the juridical and organizational instruments that, obviously in collaboration with the local ordinaries, can lead to an effective exercise of their ministerial responsibility where their faithful live.
I direct my attention to the contemplative orders, recalling their immense importance, to the extent of feeling the need to cite the example of our Great Metropolitan, the Servant of God Kyr Andrea Szeptycky who, as a Basilian, wanted the constitution of the Ukrainian Studite Brethren, defining its characteristic mission of a life of prayer and contemplation as the “lung of the life of the Church”. Allow me to remind all the venerable Synod Fathers of this singularly precious gift, so that we may always feel the need of it and carefully cultivate its presence and growth for the good of all the components of our Churches.

[00080-02.03] [IN060] [Original text: Italian]