12. The Bishop

The reunion over, everyone settled down to wait. Knowing how the Roman Curia worked, they were prepared to wait for a long time. They did not reckon with Pope John XXIII...

Before leaving Rome, on 8 February Fathers Sipovich, Hermanovich and Haroshka wrote a letter to the Superior General of Marian Fathers, asking him: 1. that Fathers Hermanovich and Haroshka be sent to London (ut Patres Josephus Hermanovi?c et Leo Horo?sko Londinium in domum nostram Marianam [Sectio Alboruthena] destinentur); 2. that Fathers Anthony Los', Felix Zhurnia, Thomas Padziava and Boniface Sarul should be called from Poland to Rome or to other place in the free world in order to help the other Belarusian Marian Fathers in their work. If for political reasons this was impossible, then the Polish Marian province should recompense Belarusians for the said Belarusian Marians' work.

In his written answer of 13 February the Superior General raised no objections to Father Haroshka going to London. He expressed certain reservations with regard to Father Hermanovich whose Polish passport was valid only for a visit to Italy. If he applied for another travel document, e.g. the Vatican service passport, the Polish Communist authorities could find out, and then  make difficulties for other Marian Fathers in Poland who would like to go abroad. Of course there was no question of Polish Marian Fathers recompensing Belarusians for their work.

But Father Hermanovich had had enough of the Communists, whether of the Polish or the Soviet variety. On 9 February, without waiting for the Superior General's reply, he applied for a Vatican service passport. By the end of February he and Father Haroshka were already in London where they joined Sipovich and Nadson. Of these four priests only Nadson did not belong to the Marian Congregation.

It was not till four months later, on 9 June 1960, that the three Belarusian Marian Fathers answered the letter of the Superior General of 13 February. In it they repeated their demand that the four Belarusian priests named in their previous letter should be allowed to come to the West. They reminded the Superior general of a similar request made by Father Sipovich on 22 December 1946 which, although very modest, had had no effect because of the "unfounded opposition of Rev. Fr Mroczek  who was then the General Councillor, and the Polish province (nullum tamen effectum ob non fundatam oppositionem tum R.P. Mroczek tunc temporis Consiliarii Generalis tum Provinciae Polonae obtinere)". Referring to Mroczek's arguments against Sipovich that balance and justice had been maintained between the work of Polish priests in Druia and Belarusian priests exiled in Poland, the authors had this to say: "In his calculations Rev. Fr Mroczek seems to have omitted some details of greatest importance, namely that our (i.e. Belarusian) Fathers from Druia could never perform in the Polish Province the work which they did in Druia, while, on the contrary, the Polish Fathers (in Druia) have been carrying out work in the Polish spirit. It is known to us that during the whole period of their presence in Druia and Vilna the Polish Marian Fathers had not even one Belarusian candidate for the priesthood, nor did they preach a single sermon in the Belarusian language"[36]. Conceding the difficulties experienced by the Church in Communist Poland, the authors went on to say that these could not be compared with the tragic situation in Belarus, where for nearly 2 million faithful there was not even one bishop, very few priests, no seminary, no religious house. Moreover "Those few Polish priests who are still there, blinded by extreme Polish nationalism, perform their pastoral work in the Polish language, and in this way, at least indirectly, help the atheists in their perfidious machinations"[37].

This was strong language, and one could feel the influence of Father Haroshka who did not like to mince his words. There is no record of the reply of the Superior General. Perhaps there never was one, because events began to move quickly.

On Monday 4 July after the liturgy Father Sipovich received the following telegram: "Pregola venire quanto prima Roma per comunicazioni urgenti. Padre Coussa Assessore" (Please come as soon as possible to Rome for important communications. Father Coussa Assessor). Father Acacius Coussa, a Melchite Aleppine monk, was second in command at the Oriental Congregation.

Here is what Father Sipovich wrote in the diary: "I showed the telegram to Fr Joseph Hermanovich, then to Fr Leo Haroshka. All decided that I should take a plane. Various thoughts and guesses".

On the following day: "Father Nadson comes back from Nottingham. He congratulates me on the bishopric...". The whole day was spent in preparation: "I give Father Haroshka account books of Marian House, and leave Fr Alexander (Nadson) in charge of the Mission in England until my return".

On Wednesday 6 July: "I make my confession to Fr Joseph Hermanovich. He tells me to approach the bishopric with the fear of God, faith and love. We celebrate Divine Liturgy. Father Alexander says that I should wear the  silver vestments and be the chief celebrant. Why? I don't know. But I obey our good master of ceremonies. Breakfast. I ask the blessing of Fr Joseph Hermanovich and together with Fr Leo Haroshka go... to the air terminal... Only few minutes remain to talk with Fr Leo... I arrived in Rome at 1.05 p.m. exactly". On the next day, Thursday 7 July came the visit to the Oriental Congregation: "I wait for the call from Father Coussa and pray. About 11 a.m. he invites me to his office. We sit down. He opens the envelopes of the letters he received and asks me in indifferent tone about the Mission in London... Then: 'What if we made you a bishop, assistant to Bishop Sloskans, with the title of  Apostolic Visitor for Belarusians?'. I am very moved. I answer that as a religious I made a vow never to seek any dignities in the Marian Congregation or outside it. He just waved his hand and said:'I also am a religious, but I am told, and I do what the Holy Father wants me to do'. Then he took me by the hand, led me to the adjoining empty room and said:'pray and think. I shall call you back in half an hour'. I prayed and thought... In my ears there were the words of Father Haroshka before my departure from London: 'If they offer you the bishopric, accept it. If you refuse, they will give us nothing!'. I take the piece of paper and write with trembling hand: 'I feel unworthy to be a bishop. All my life I have tried to be obedient to my superiors, especially to the Holy Father. I accept the dignity of a bishop not because of any of my merits, but as a sign of the Holy Father's love for my longsuffering Belarusian people'. I wrote these few sentences with many mistakes, not intending to show them to anyone. But Fr Coussa took them, read, said 'Molto bene' (Very good) and kept it. Mgr Coussa and many others began to congratulate me, call me 'Eccellenza'..." Then there was a talk with Mgr Moioli who was in charge of Belarusian affairs. They were interrupted by Father Coussa who said that Cardinal Cicognani, head of the Oriental Congregation, wanted to see the new bishop-elect. The Cardinal was very gracious and told Father Sipovich: "You will be a good bishop and do much good for your people". From the Oriental Congregation Father Sipovich went straight to the Basilica of St Peter to pray at the tomb of the First Apostle. Thus ended this truly memorable day.

The following days were spent in preparation for the consecration. On 9 July Father Sipovich paid a visit to the Ukrainian Archbishop Ivan Buchko and asked him to be his chief consecrator, to which the archbishop readily agreed. On 15 July there was an audience with Cardinal Tisserant who blessed Father Sipovich and said "Lei e stato un buono sacerdote, sara buono vescovo" (you have been a good priest, and will be a good bishop). Then, as Sipovich noted in his diary, he added: "It is very important for peoples who are suffering religious persecution and where religion is being suppressed to have their own bishops. I believe that the news about you will raise the spirit of your people in your native country. Your nomination is also important because of the Ecumenical Council". In his diary Sipovich made the following comments: "For the first time I have heard about the true reasons for my nomination. Until now I have been paid many compliments, but nobody mentioned the essential". On 17-24 July Father Sipovich made a retreat at Assisi. On his return to Rome he was told that his consecration would take place on Thursday 4 August at the church of St Anne in Munich during the Eucharistic Congress. It was intended to be the "coronamento" (the crowning point) of the Congress's "Clergy day".

Father Sipovich arrived in Munich on Tuesday 2 August. He was met at the station by Belarusian priests and faithful who had come for this occasion from all over Europe. At the clergy residence, Pius Maria Heim, where a room  was reserved for him, there was a small incident, insignificant in itself, but indicative of the difficulties which Belarusians encountered everywhere. On the door of his room there was a card with his name written on it, and "Polen" (Poland – A.N.) as the country of origin. Sipovich wrote in his diary: "I asked Fr Salaviej, my secretary during the Congress, that it should be immediately changed to 'Weissruthene' (Belarusian – A.N.), which was done".

Thursday 4 August. Outside the church of St Anne in the centre of Munich hangs  Belarusian white-red-white flag. In the church by the altar a procession banner with the icon of Our Lady of Zhyrovitsy, the most famous Belarusian Marian sanctuary. The church is full  to overflowing long before 9 a.m., when the liturgy is due to begin. The solemn Pontifical Liturgy is concelebrated by  three bishops and five priests. The chief celebrant is Archbishop Ivan Buchko; he is assisted by Bishop Platon Kornylak, the Ukrainian exarch for Ukrainians in Germany, and Andrew Katkov, ordaining bishop of Byzantine rite in Rome. On the right side of the High Altar on a special podium – Bishop Boleslaus Sloskans, Apostolic Administrator of Mahilou and Minsk, wearing mitre and cope. Also in the sanctuary there are Bishops Bukatko, Shmondziuk and Prashko (Ukrainians), Gawlina (Pole), and bishops from Ghana and Madagascar. After the Little Entrance Fathers Leo Haroshka and Michael Maskalik conduct Father Sipovich (still in priestly robes) to Archbishop Buchko. Monisgnor Giuseppe Moioli, representative of the Oriental Congregation, reads the Papal Bull in Latin: "Joannes Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei dilecto filio Ceslao Sipovich... salutem et apostolicam benedictionem... John Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to our beloved son Ceslaus Sipovich... greetings and apostolic blessing. Insofar as the Sacred Council in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Church has deemed it timely that the Belarusian faithful of Eastern rite, residing for whatever reason outside their country, be provided for, We having willingly accepted this... have considered you, beloved son, whose outstanding spiritual and intellectual virtues and proven piety towards God clearly recommend, a fitting (person) to be entrusted with this task. And that you may perform your office more profitably... with our apostolic power we nominate you Bishop of the titular see of Mariamme..."[38].

Father Salaviej reads the Papal Bull in Belarusian.

Then the act of consecration began. Here is what Bishop Sipovich himself wrote in his diary: "Fathers Haroshka and M. Maskalik conduct me to the altar. I begin to recite the Profession of Faith. After the second Profession of Faith my feet started feeling as if they did not belong to me... Soon (for me) comes the most important moment. I am given the staff. I kneel. The heavy Book of Gospels is placed over my head. It seems that no one is holding the book, it presses me, and if I had no staff for support, most probably I would not be able to stand it. I pray as well as I can and know that the Holy Spirit would give me strength in my episcopal state. Then comes the robing and the unforgettable "Axios!" (Greek acclamation meaning "He is worthy" – A.N.). I exchange greetings with all bishops... By the grace of God I am already Bishop".

To this description it may be added that at the moment of consecration all bishops present came together for the laying on of hands.

After the consecration the Liturgy resumed with the new bishop standing on the right hand of the chief celebrant. After the Liturgy he went down the aisle to the main entrance, blessing the faithful.

During the reception after the Liturgy Bishop Sipovich spoke in Belarusian, Latin and English. He thanked God for the grace of the fullness of priesthood, and for the Vicar of Christ on earth, Pope John XXIII who had listened to the requests of Belarusian priests and faithful and given them a Belarusian bishop. Archbishop Buchko in Ukrainian expressed the joy because of the restoration of the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church. He had also a few words of "consolation" to the new bishop, saying: "The first seven years will be very hard. After that it will not become easier, but you will get used to it". Monsignor Moioli, representing the Oriental Congregation, speaking in Italian, stressed the importance of a Belarusian bishop representing his country at the forthcoming Ecumenical Council.

On the following day Bishop Sipovich celebrated the Liturgy in the church of Maria von gutem Rat (Mary of Good Counsel), which had been assigned to the Belarusians for the duration of the Eucharistic Congress. Everyone was deeply impressed by his sermon, in which he spoke about how he saw his role as a bishop and a Belarusian. Unfortunately there is no record of its contents. Here is what the Bishop himself wrote in his diary: "I preached about Christ and the Holy Eucharist, about the mission of a bishop, a Belarusian bishop. Afterwards I was told that my sermon should be considered as an inspired programme. They were asking for the text, but I had none. I had it in my head". It is a pity that in 1960 tape recorders were still a rarity...

On Saturday 6 August, as part of the programme of the Eucharistic Congress, in the presence of the Patriarch of Antioch Maximos IV, a concelebrated Byzantine liturgy took place at the Congress's main altar at the Theresienwiese. Eleven bishops took part in the Liturgy. The chief celebrant was the Ukrainian Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk, Archbishop of Winnipeg in Canada. In writing about this liturgy in his diary, Bishop Sipovich recorded the following interetsing incident: "There were two deacons: a Ukrainian and (a deacon) from Chevetogne. Three choirs sang: Ukrainian, the so-called Russian, and Greek. The one 'Russian' deacon (i.e. from Chevetogne – A.N.) prayed only 'for the suffering Russian brothers'. For this he was rebuked by me and His Exc. Bukatko. After the Liturgy he apologised to His Exc. Hermaniuk and asked to be given a penance; I told him to say a prayer for the Ukrainian and Belarusian peoples. When I later told this incident to Monsignor Moioli, he remarked about this deacon: 'Che stupido!' (how stupid)".

The Eucharistic Congress over, Bishop Sipovich returned to Rome on 11 August. There were many matters to settle. One of the most important was the audience with the Holy Father who was then in his summer residence at Castel Gondolfo. This was fixed for Saturday 20 August at 12.15 p.m. Bishop Sipovich left the following description in his diary: " At 12.08 the Holy Father received me with the words 'Venga, venga! (Come in, come in!)'. We came to the table. He sat, and I sat by the side of the table. He asked me who I was, where from and who consecrated me. I answered that I was a Belarusian, from Belarus, and that I was the (first) bishop after many years of us being orphaned of the hierarchy... When I told him, that I was consecrated in Munich, he asked who was the consecrator. 'His Exc. Buchko' – I answered. 'O, quello mio piccolo amico! (O, that little friend of mine!)', the Pope said with a smile. Then he started to speak in Latin and said that one should always: 1. choose the lowest place (then he laughed again and, pointing at himself, said in Italian: 'Ma vedi loro mi hanno messo qui!' [But look, they have put me here!]); 2. to be the servant of all; 3. to preserve priestly integrity and purity (integritatem et puritatem sacerdotalem); 4. to respond to the call of grace. Having enumerated those four points he added: 'Sub juramento propositionem uti sacerdos feci haec quatuor puncta observare (Under the oath I made a resolution as a priest to observe those four points)'... I asked his blessing for my mother, for my family and relations, for all Belarusians in Belarus and abroad, for all Marians. The Holy Father answered: 'Di tutto il cuore! (From all my heart!)'. Then he himself asked me: 'Vuoi che facciamo insieme la fotografia?' (Would you like a photo of us together?) – 'Si, Santita!' (Yes, Your Holiness!)... I forgot to add that when I talked with the Holy Father and said that I was working among Belarusians in England, he said: 'I am now learning the English language, but it is exteremely difficult... e troppo difficile!'". Bishop Sipovich summed up his impressions of the Pope: "The audience went as Mgr Moioli foretold. Spontaneous fatherly questions. One feels at once the goodness and simplicity of this man. Even if he speaks about principles, he enunciates them  forcefully, but at the same time simply, in a fatherly manner".

It was not till October that Bishop Sipovich was able to come back to London which he had left as a priest on 6 July. On Sunday 30 October there was solemn Pontifical Liturgy. The small chapel of SS Peter and Paul at Marian House was full to capacity with Belarusians and English friends, many of whom had to remain outside. Luckily the weather was exceptionally good for that time of the year. As Bishop Sipovich wrote in his diary: "One can feel that God helps us even in such small matters". Next Sunday, 6 November, was a "family" celebration for Belarusians alone, with  the Pontifical Liturgy in the morning in the chapel of SS Peter and Paul, and a reception in the afternoon in honour of Bishop Sipovich at the headquarters of the Association of Belarusians in Great Britain. During the reception Bishop received as a present the book by Prat, "The Theology of Saint Paul" and was made an honorary member of the Association.

On 9 November Bishop Sipovich was back in Rome.

On 9 March 1838 Josaphat Bulhak, the last Metropolitan of the Belarusian Greek Catholic Church, died in St Petersburg. He was 80 years old, ill and broken in spirit. During the last ten years of his life he had had to look on helplessly as some of his bishops, under the leadership of Joseph Siemashko and with the full support of the Russian authorities, undermined his Church from within, destroying it slowly in order to bring about its "union" with the Russian Orthodox Church. The Metropolitan alone stood in their way. He died a Catholic, yet his adversaries did not hesitate to use him even after his death by burying him in the Orthodox church. One year later on 25 March 1839 the Greek Catholic Church in Belarus ceased to exist... With the Belarusian national revival various attempts were made to restore the Greek Catholic Church too, all of them to no avail owing to unfavourable political and other circumstances, the attitude of the Catholic Church authorities being not the least of them. The episcopal consecration of Ceslaus Sipovich marked a radical change of attitude of those authorities towards Belarusians. Thus after more than 120 years the Belarusian Greek Catholics had once again their own bishop, raising their hopes of the restoration of their Church.

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