Vatican Cardinal: Beatification process for Metropolitan Sheptytsky nears completion

The Catholic Church is nearing the completion of its investigation and will soon officially recognize Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky as Blessed, honoring his life as an example of holiness for the faithful. 

This was announced on July 8 by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, during a meeting with the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Beatification is an official Church process in which the Catholic Church carefully examines a person’s life, actions, and spiritual merits to confirm that they lived a holy life. If successful, the person receives the title “Blessed,” which is a step toward canonization, or sainthood.

In 2008, he was recognized by Israel as a Righteous Among the Nations for rescuing Jews and Ukraine is third on that list for providing sanctuary to Jews during Nazi Germany’s genocidal hunt for Jews during World War II. 

“We are awaiting the final documentation, which I have been assured is currently being printed. As soon as it arrives, we will submit it for expert review. If any clarifications are needed, we will certainly provide them. However, we are already at the final stage, as we have been expecting this documentation,” Semeraro said.

He said that the figures of saints and martyrs serve as great inspiration and sources of courage for the entire Church, especially in difficult times.

“We ask ourselves the same question once posed by a Western saint: ‘If they did it, if they witnessed up to giving their lives, then why can’t I do the same?’ We need these examples and encouragement,” Semeraro said.

The cardinal also expressed his joy that despite numerous challenges, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church continues to look forward and bear witness to holiness.

“It is very encouraging that I have the opportunity to exchange thoughts not only about those figures currently in the process of being declared saints but also about the efforts to show that it is through the saints that the Church demonstrates to the world that it is truly a holy Church,” he said.

The beatification process for Metropolitan Sheptytsky has been ongoing since 1955.

Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Archbishop of Lviv, was a prominent religious and national leader in the first half of the 20th century, coming from the noble Sheptytsky family.

During World War I, he was arrested by Russian forces and detained in Russia. After returning to Lviv, he became one of the founders of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic.