The following translations of Pope Pius X’s provide documented recognition of Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky’s universal patriarchal jurisdiction in the Catholic Church of Kievan-Rus (commonly called the Ukrainian Catholic Church).
The same translations are soon to be interspersed with the original posts on this blog, which can be viewed by clicking here.
See this page for ‘context’; that is, why we post these translations, why they are still relevant and, indeed, particularly important even today for restoration of tradition and for the recognition of the Kievan Catholic patriarchate.
The explanations in the first person, appearing between each declaration of faculties given by the Pope, were also written by Archbishop Andrey and appear in each of the original photocopied documents.
A scanned sample of the photocopied documents sealed and autographed by Metropolitan Andrey can be viewed by clicking here.
Through the prayers of our Father, St. Athanasius, save us o Christ-God!
(Translations rendered by Joseph Tardiff, M.A.; editor, G. P. Lloyd, M.A. Phil.; posted 2 May 2012 – re-posted in May 2004 [sic] to appear with publications of the same month.)
================================
( I ) Exemplar.
Romae 15. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, vacantis Sedis Metropolitanae Kijoviensis et totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat facultatem, ut ipsi nomine Sanctissimi consilium theologorum juris orientalis peritorum Romae data opera convocare liceat; ad consilium vocati ad secretum pontificium teneantur, sub quod ipsum quoque consilium cadat. Quaestiones discutiendae proponantur eae, quae in missione in Russia occurrere possunt.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Santissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X, propria manu dignatus et signare verbis: “Sub secreto sub poena excommunicationis Papae reservatae.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests the faculty that it might be permitted to him to call together, in the name of the Most Holy Father, a council of theologians expert in the law of the east, attentive to Rome; that those called to the council may be kept under pontifical secret, under which secret the council itself should also fall. Let the questions proposed for discussion be those which are able to occur in the mission in Russia.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign in his own hand the original document written by me with the words, “Secret under pain of excommunication reserved to the Pope.”
( II ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptycki Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropoliae Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator nec non Archiepiscopalium Sedium Vladimiriensis, Polocensis, Smolenscensis, Episcopalium vero Luceoriensis, Ostrogiensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislaviensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Severiensis, Chelmensis, Pinscensis, Turoviensis, Brescensis, idem Episcopus Camenecensis Podoliae ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat: Dignetur Sanctitas Vestra benigniter declarare – omnia decreta et statuta, omnes dispositiones declarationes et ordinationes encyclicarum litterarum p. m. Praedecessoris sui Leonis PP. XIII. “Orientalium dignitas Ecclesiarum” in territoriis dictarum dioeceseon omnem vim legis habere atque vigorem.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Santissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X, dignatus et signare verbis: “Confirmantur et observantia imponitur.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of Kiev and of all Russia, as also of the Archiepiscopal Sees of Vladimir, Polotsk, and Smolensk, and of the Episcopal Sees of [as above … editor], likewise Bishop of Kamyanets in Podolia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests: May Your Holiness kindly see fit to declare that all the decrees and statutes, all the provisions and declarations and arrangements of the encyclical letter Orientalium dignitas Ecclesiarum written by your Predecessor Pope Leo XVIII shall, in territories of the aforesaid dioceses, have all the force and strength of law.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned also to sign the original document written by me with the words, “It is confirmed and observance imposed.”
( III ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptycki Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae nec non Archiepiscopalium Sedium Vladimirensis, Polocensis, Smolenscensis, atque Episcopalium Luceoriensis, Ostrogensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislavensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislavensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Severiensis, Chelmensis, Pinscensis, Turoviensis, Brescensis, Administrator, Episcopus demum Camenecensis Podoliae ad pedes Sanctitas Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat ignetur Sanctitas Vestra decernere: Professionis fidei formulam ab Urbano VIII. orientalibus praescriptam non nisi iis esse imponendam redeuntibus ad unitatem catholicam, qui eam bene intelligere valent – quoad alios vero – excepto casu in quo mala fides – schysma sc. formale supponi potest, sufficiat professio fidei Nicaeno Constantinopolitana adjecta brevi formula submissionis auctoritati Summorum Pontificum.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Satis habeatur.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of Kiev and of all Russia as also of the Archiepiscopal Sees of Vladimir, Polotsk, and Smolensk, and of the Episcopal Sees of [… as above listed;editor] and likewise Bishop of Kamyanets in Podolia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly beg that Your Holiness might deign to decree: that the formula for profession of faith prescribed by Urban VIII for those of the east returning to catholic unity not be required, except for those who are able to understand it well; but that for others—except in cases where bad faith, that is, formal schism can be presumed—the Nicaeo-Constatinoplitan profession of faith may suffice, with the addition of a brief formula of submission to the authority of the Supreme Pontiffs.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “Let it be considered sufficient.”
( IV ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provulutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi ad tempus muneris Facultas etiam sacerdotibus in foro interno communicabilis benigniter concedatur dispensandi ab omnibus legibus mere ecclesiasticis secundum conscientiam suam vel confessarii et consilium juris prudentium et theologiae doctorum.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Juxta preces.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there may kindly be granted to him, for the time of his office, the faculty, also communicable to priests in foro interno [in the internal forum; ed.], of dispensing from all merely ecclesiastical laws in accordance with his own conscience or that of a confessor, and in accordance with the advice of men wise in the law and learned in theology.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “As requested.”
( V ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi benigniter concedatur facultas etiam sacerdotibus communicabilis asservandi in locis missionum Augustissimum Altaris Sacramentum modo optimo, quo fieri posse judicabit in Domino, onerata hac in re consientia sua.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Juxta preces.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there kindly be granted to him the faculty, communicable also to priests, of reserving the Most Sublime Sacrament of the Altar in mission locations in what he will judge before the Lord to be the best way in which this is able to be done, with his conscience bearing the burden in this matter.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “As requested.”
( VI ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, vacantis Sedium in Russia Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi ad tempus muneris benigniter concedantur facultates dispensandi super impedimentis matrimonialibus:
Ii. gradus lineae collateralis,
Ii. gradus secundum tangentis et secundi gradus, pariter secundi tertium tangentis consanguinitatis et affinitatis in matrimoniis contrahendis et contractis, nec non dispensandi in casibus, ubi duo vel tria conveniunt impedimenta, pariter in impedimento mixtae religionis servatis de iure servandis.Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est propria manu signare verbis: “Precibus annuimus.”
Rome, 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the vacant sees in Russia, prostrate at the feet of your holiness most humbly requests, that there may kindly be granted to him, for the duration of his office, the faculties of dispensation with regard to matrimonial impediments:
— of the first degree of the collateral line;
— of the first degree touching the second, and of the second degree, and likewise of the second touching the third degree of consanguinuity and affinity in marriages both contracted and to be contracted, and also of dispensation in cases where two or three impediments come together, as likewise for the impediment of mixed religion, with due observance of the requirements of law.And may God …
Our most holy lord Pope Pius X was pleased to sign the original document written by me with the words, “We accede to these requests.”
( VII ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi facultas concedatur ordinandi sacerdotes titulo missionis non servatis canonicis interstitiis – ertiam extra tempora.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Juxta preces.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there kindly be granted to him the faculty of ordaining priests titulo missionis [to be incardinated in the missions; ed.] without keeping the canonical intervals, and even outside the times.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “As requested.”
( VIII ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut Sanctitas Sua ipsi facultatem benigniter concedere dignetur Chrisma sanctum conficiendi et altaria portatilia (antimensia) consecrandi extra Feriam V. Majoris Hebdomadae in capella privata.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Precibus annuimus.”
[ seal of the Metropolitan ] ANDREAS SƵEPTYCKI
[ hand-written ] Concordat cum original[e *] a SSmo signato et sigillo pontificio munito. +Andreas Metropolitanus.
[ “Concords with the original signed by His Holiness and affixed with the pontifical seal.” /signed/ + Andrey Metropolitan ]
[ * The final letter “e” in “originale” is missing on the photocopy, evidently obliterated by the edge of the photocopied page. ]
[ Nota bene: of the 13 photocopied documents received from Bishop Michael Hrynchyshyn with his letter dated 6 May 2004, the photocopy of the exemplar (scanned copy posted here) bearing the hand-written Roman numeral “VIII” and corresponding verbatim to the transcription rendered above is the only one of the 13 bearing the seal of Metropolitan Sheptytsky, along with an hand-written notation and autograph attesting to the authenticity of the documentation of the faculties; editor. ]
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there kindly be granted to him the faculty of preparing the holy Chrism and of consecrating portable altars and antimensia [so-called “Greek corporals”; ed.] outside of Thursday of the Great Week, in a private chapel.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “We approve the requests.”
( IX ) Exemplar.
Romae 17. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi concedatur facultas etiam confessariis communicabilis dispensandi fideles saeculares a lege, qua vetita est communicatio in sacris cum orthodoxis, quoties opportunum esse in conscientia judicabunt.
Quod Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Tollerari posse.”
Rome 17. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there kindly be granted to him the faculty, also communicable to confessors, of dispensing the lay faithful from the law which forbids communicatio in sacris with the orthodox, as often as they shall in conscience deem it prudent.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “Able to be tolerated.”
( X ) Exemplar.
Romae 18. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptycki Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae nec non Ecclesiarum Archiepiscopalium Vladimirensis, Polocensis, Smolenscensis, Episcopalium vero Luceoriensis cum Exarchatu totius Russiae, Ostrogensis, Novogrodensis, Brestensis, Minscensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislavensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Severiensis, Chelmensis, Pinscensis, Turoviensis, Belzensis, Idemque Episcopus Camenecensis Podoliae ad pedes Sanctitas Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat dignetur Sanctitas Vestra provolutus humillime rogat, ut: Exceptis utique omnibus honorificis juribus, titulis, privilegiis, insigniis, honoribus, excepto pariter quolibet jure ad quamlibet praecedentiam, in qualibet occasione, atque ex qualibet ratione, titulo aut praetextu, Sanctitas Vestra ipsi concedere dignetur potestatem et jurisdictionem delegatam, nomine Apostolicae Sedis Romanae tantum exercendam, in territorio totius Imperii Russi talem, qualem in territorio suo ordinariam habet Patriarcha
Maronitarum.Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctisssimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est propria manu signare verbis: “Placet.”
Rome 18. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of Kiev and of all Russia, as also of the Archiepiscopal Churches of Vladimir, Polotsk, and Smolensk, and of the Episcopal Churches of Lutsk with the Exarchate of all Russia [… as listed above; ed.], and likewise Bishop of Kamyanets in Podolia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests that:
With the total exception of all honorific rights, titles, privileges, distinctions, and honors; and excepting likewise whatsoever right to whatsoever precedence, on whatever occasion, and arising from
whatever rule, title, or pretension, Your Holiness may see fit to grant to him — to be excercised only in the name of the Apostolic Roman See — the same power and delegated jurisdiction in the territory of the entire Russian Empire as the ordinary power that the Patriarch of the Maronites posesses in his own territory.Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned with his own hand to sign the original document written by me with the words “It pleases me.”
( XI ) Exemplar.
Romae 22. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptycki Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae nec non Archdioeceseon Vladimirensis, Polocensis, Smolenscensis, Dioeceseon vero Luceoriensis cum Exarchatu totius Russiae, Ostrogensis, Novogrodensis, Minscensis, Brestensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislavensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Chelmensis, Belsensis, Severiensis, Pinscensis, Turoviensis, idem Episcopus Camenecensis Podoliae ad pedes Sanctitas Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi benigniter concedantur facultates et quidem eae amplissimae, quae Apostolicae Sedis Delegatis in America septentrionali concedi solent.
Et Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctisssimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est signare verbis: “Pro gratia concessae.”
Rome 22. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of Kiev and of all Russia, as also of the Archdioceses of Vladimir, Polotsk, and Smolensk, and of the Dioceses of Lutsk with the Exarchate of all Russia [… as above listed; ed.], and likewise Bishop of Kamyanets in Podolia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests that there may also indeed be granted to him the fullest faculties that are customarily granted to the Delegates of the Apostolic See in North America.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “Granted with goodwill.”
( XII ) Exemplar.
Romae 22. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptycki Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae administrator nec non Archdioeceseon Vladimirensis, Polocensis, Smolenscensis, Dioeceseon vero Luceoriensis, cum Exarchatu totius Russiae, Ostrogensis, Novogrodensis, Minscensis, Brestensis, Vitebscensis, Mscislavensis, Orsanensis, Mohiloviensis, Chelmensis, Belsensis, Severiensis, Pinscensis, Turoviensis, idem Episcopus Camenecensis Podoliae ad pedes Sanctitas Vestrae provolutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi ad tempus durationis muneris facultates dictae qiunquennales et triennales etiam sacerdotibus dictarum dioeceseon communicabiles beningiter concedantur.
Et Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctisssimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est propria manu signare verbis: “Juxta preces concedantur.”
Rome 22. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of Kiev and of all Russia, as also of the Archdioceses of Vladimir, Polotsk, and Smolensk, and of the Dioceses of Lutsk with the Exarchate of all Russia, [… as given above; ed.], and likewise Bishop of Kamyanets in Podolia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests that for the time of the duration of his office the five-year and three-year faculties mentioned may kindly be granted to him and be communicable also to the priests of the dioceses mentioned.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me with the words “Let them be granted as requested.”
( XIII ) Exemplar.
Romae 28. 2. 1908
Beatissime Pater!
Andreas Szeptyckyj Metropolitanus Halicensis, Metropolitanae Sedis Kijoviensis ac totius Russiae Administrator ad pedes Sanctitatis Vestrae provulutus humillime rogat, ut ipsi benigniter concedatur facultates, quae Apostolicae Sedis Delegatis in regionibus Americae meridionalis in forma amplissima concedi solent.
Et Deus …
Documentum originale a me scriptum Sanctisssimus Dominus Noster Pius Papa X. dignatus est propria manu signare verbis: “Juxta preces in Domine, Dia 29. Februarii 1908. Pius PP. X.”
Rome 28. 2. 1908
Most Blessed Father!
Andrij Sheptytsky Metropolitan of Halych, Administrator of the Metropolitan See of of Kiev and of all Russia, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness most humbly requests, that there may kindly be granted to him, the faculties which are customarily granted to Delegates of the Apostolic See in the regions of South America, in their broadest form.
And may God …
Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius X deigned to sign the original document written by me in his own hand with the words “As requested, in the Lord, on the 29th day of February 1908. Pius PP. X.”
[end]
Looking East 