The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-21
RU 7 AENIAN B SHOP
FOR CANADA
Rev. Nicetas Budka of Lemberg,
Austria, Appointed by the Holy
of the Seminary of Lemberg.

Word has been received from Rome
of the appointment of the Right Rev.
erend D. Nicetas Budka as Titular
Bishop of Patara and first Bishop of
the Ruthenian Rite for Canada He
will have no special territory, but will
exercise jurisdiction throughout the
Dominion, visiting in turn as fire.
quently as possible the various
Ruthenian communities. i.
The members of the Episcopate of
Western Canada have realized for
long time that the only ade-
quate solution for the Ruth
enian problem was the ap-
pointment of a Bishop of that rite
who would occupy the same position
in Canada as Bishop Ortynski does in
the United States. Accordingly, the
Roman authorities were petitioned to
make such an appointment. A couple
of years ago the Most Reverend
Andrew Szeptycki, Greek Ruthenian
Archbishop of Lemberg, made a tour
through Western Canada visiting the
Ruthenian settlements, and studying
the situation among his people. He,
also, recommended that a Bishop of
the Ruthenian Rite be appointed.
The Reverend Nicetas Budka who
has been selected for that honor is
native of Galicia where he was born
in 1877. He was ordained to the
priesthood in 1905 and for some years
has been Project of Studies in the
Ruthenian Seminary of Lemberg. He
is regarded as an able writer and
teacher of high standing in the insti.
tuition over which he presides.
His appointment will undoubtedly
help to solve the many difficulties met
with in dealing with the Ruthenians
of Western Canada. The great prob
lem has been to supply them with
priests of their own nationality or
priests who speak their language and
understand their rite. Most of the
immigrants come from Galicia and
Western Hungary, and few, if any, of
their priests have come with them.
Among the first to respond to the
invitation of the Canadian Bishops for
priests of the Ruthenian rite were the
Basilian Fathers to whom Archbishop
Szeptycki belongs. Several Canadian
priests have gone over to the Ruthen-
ian rite and are now ministering in
Ruthenian parishes.
The Ruthenian Catholics of Canada
are strongly attached to the Holy See;
but their ignorance of the language
and customs of the country and the
conditions under which they live
place them at a great disadvantage
and jeopardize their faith. The
enemies of religion have not been
slow to take advantage of the situa-
ton and have inaugurated pros
elytizing campaign. There have been
a few defections from the ranks of
the Church, but the great majority of
the Ruthenians have remained loyal
to the faith of their forefathers.
The new Bishop understands the
Ruthenian characteristics and SYM
pathizes with their aspirations. He
is thoroughly conversant with their
language and history and will be in
position to warn them against the
dangers by which they are sur
rounded. It is not known when he
will come to Western Canada, nor has
his place of residence been deter
mined. It is reported that Saskatoon
may be made his headquarters and
from that point he will look after the
people scattered throughout the
Canadian west.