Ever since 1067AD, there has been a division in the Church. The Bishop of Rome is the recognized leader of the Western Church while the recognized leader of the Eastern Church is the Archbishop of Constantinople (Turkey).
For each of the churches belonging to the Eastern Church, there is also a sub-branch which is in union with Rome, such as the Ukrainian Catholic Church (vs the Ukrainian Orthodox Church which recognizes the supremacy of the Archbishop of Constantinople).
The Bishop of Rome alone has legitimate authority to appoint Shepherds to lead local Churches within the Western Church. For the Eparchies which are part of the Eastern uniate Churches, the Holy Father acts on the advice of the Synods of the respective Patriarchates.
The Holy Father has accepted the Ecclesiastical Communion which was asked of him according to Canon 76, § 2 of the Code of Eastern Canons, and recognizes His Beatitude, Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan, canonically elected as Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenians on July 24, 2015 by the Synod of that Patriarchal Church.
Your election to the See of Cilicia for the Armenians is for me a moment of great joy and I thank you for the letter by which Your Beatitude has shared this news with me, asking for ecclesiastical communion.
I join with all the faithful of that Patriarchate in expressing my fraternal and cordial congratulations and I implore for you an abundance of divine gifts, that your new ministry might bear abundant fruit. May the Lord grant his blessings, so that the earth might bear these fruits (cf Ps 85:13)!
Your Beatitude's election takes place at a moment when your Church is confronted with certain difficulties and new challenges, such as the situation of certain Armenian Catholics who are experiencing great trials in the Middle East. However, guided by the light of faith in the Risen Christ, our outlook on the world is full of hope and mercy, for we are sure that the Cross of Christ is the tree of life.
I am convinced that Your Beatitude, in communion with the venerable Syond Fathers, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will be capable, with an entirely evangelical wisdom, of being Father and Head, the Good Shepherd of the portion of the people of God which is confided to your care. The numerous Armenian martyrs and Saint Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, will surely intercede for you.
I willingly grant to Your Beatitude the desired ecclesiastical communion, in accordance with the tradition of the Church and the norms currently in effect.
Confiding you and your ministry to Jesus Christ and to the protection of the Most Venerable Mother of God, I willingly send you the Apostolic Benediction which I also extend to the entire Patriarchate.
From the Vatican
July 25, 2015
Francis
For each of the churches belonging to the Eastern Church, there is also a sub-branch which is in union with Rome, such as the Ukrainian Catholic Church (vs the Ukrainian Orthodox Church which recognizes the supremacy of the Archbishop of Constantinople).
The Bishop of Rome alone has legitimate authority to appoint Shepherds to lead local Churches within the Western Church. For the Eparchies which are part of the Eastern uniate Churches, the Holy Father acts on the advice of the Synods of the respective Patriarchates.
The Holy Father has accepted the Ecclesiastical Communion which was asked of him according to Canon 76, § 2 of the Code of Eastern Canons, and recognizes His Beatitude, Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan, canonically elected as Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenians on July 24, 2015 by the Synod of that Patriarchal Church.
Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to His Beatitude Grégoire Pierre XX Ghabroyan
Patriarch of Cilicia for the Armenians
Your election to the See of Cilicia for the Armenians is for me a moment of great joy and I thank you for the letter by which Your Beatitude has shared this news with me, asking for ecclesiastical communion.
I join with all the faithful of that Patriarchate in expressing my fraternal and cordial congratulations and I implore for you an abundance of divine gifts, that your new ministry might bear abundant fruit. May the Lord grant his blessings, so that the earth might bear these fruits (cf Ps 85:13)!
Your Beatitude's election takes place at a moment when your Church is confronted with certain difficulties and new challenges, such as the situation of certain Armenian Catholics who are experiencing great trials in the Middle East. However, guided by the light of faith in the Risen Christ, our outlook on the world is full of hope and mercy, for we are sure that the Cross of Christ is the tree of life.
I am convinced that Your Beatitude, in communion with the venerable Syond Fathers, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will be capable, with an entirely evangelical wisdom, of being Father and Head, the Good Shepherd of the portion of the people of God which is confided to your care. The numerous Armenian martyrs and Saint Gregory of Narek, Doctor of the Church, will surely intercede for you.
I willingly grant to Your Beatitude the desired ecclesiastical communion, in accordance with the tradition of the Church and the norms currently in effect.
Confiding you and your ministry to Jesus Christ and to the protection of the Most Venerable Mother of God, I willingly send you the Apostolic Benediction which I also extend to the entire Patriarchate.
From the Vatican
July 25, 2015
Francis
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