In Vitebsk cathedral church of the Merciful Jesus on January 18 held a big celebration - episcopal consecration. New leader and pastor Vitebsk diatsezii from that day became one of the youngest Catholic bishops in the world - 41 -year-old Oleg Boutkevitch, former rector of the parish of St. Anthony of Padua in Vitebsk.
News that Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Vitebsk, came on November 29. Recall that the predecessor Oleg Boutkevitch - 59 -year-old Bishop Wladyslaw Blin - resigned for health reasons.
As soon as the news reached the faithful, many began to call each other congratulations. People expressed great joy and pleasure : " The new bishop - an extremely strong believer, a true example for others. And besides, he's a young, energetic, and your, local. He's our brother, Braslavsky, the Belarusian people. Native language knows and talks only on it. And what a wonderful sermon he says Just in the heart of an effort by his word ! "
And among the priests, the bishop - nominee said it was an extremely modest man. " This - Belarusian equivalent Pope Francis. Small room ( not even flat! ) - It is all " plebaniya " ; priest Oleg is very simple and in direct contact with people very susceptible to the needs of the poor, with a good heart and a good ear ( gifted musical and vocal abilities ). Moreover - a regular guest at the University Masherov and Starosel'skii school near Vitebsk (his performances are always in great demand among students and pupils ), a member of TV and radio programs, and this despite the fact that standing on his shoulders was hard work to restore the church of St. Anthony. Thoroughly Belarusian- and imbued with love for Belarus ", - spoke about it so well-known theologian and journalist Peter Rudkovskii.
Modesty as one of the basic human qualities of the new bishop singled and apostolic nuncio in Belarus Claudio Gugerotti. He led the Mass, which was held during the episcopal ordination. Hierarch, referring to Oleg Boutkevitch, said: " You took that car, which wanted to throw. Lived in a room that in order to reach it, we had to call an ambulance. And so it is, and you have chosen. Many of the priests saw this unusual. 'Cause you chose poverty - for the sake of love. known how much attention dad Francis pays poverty. Hopefully you'll be in a good example for others. "
"You will face, mind, heart Vitebsk church. And a special relationship with Christ is not only your person, and will be like a man who stands at the head of the local church. You will become a follower of the apostles. And it's a big mystery. Dear Brother Do not be afraid ! Although now you can not even imagine what difficulties await you. If you knew all this, then fainted. Yet God repeatedly reinforce your strength "- said during a sermon chief consecrating bishop.
Oleg Boutkevitch comes from believing Catholic family, where three children. And everybody began to serve God. His two sisters - nuns evharistki.
So today, many noticed with pleasure that Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti remembered during a sermon fathers of the new bishop, "I know how your mom is concerned your dedication. Indeed she knows how only a mother can know what it means to have responsibility. Thank her for that she gave such a son. Mama - it's like the Belarusian land. she gave her son a life milk, language and culture. Your son was not looking for this place. more effort we managed to snatch it from the parish where he served previously and where his family. When we announced it will dad, you do not notice that he was jumping for joy. But it took and chose as his episcopal motto of the prayer "Our Father " - " thy will be done."
Dedicated main bishop - Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti during the ceremony assisted by Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz and chairman of the Bishops' Conference Alexander Kashkevich.
This event was the Catholic hierarchy from Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Vitebsk Orthodox diocese priests, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions of various countries, local authorities and secular believers. Whole, not small church of the Merciful Jesus was filled with people.
The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Terentyev and Head of Religious and Ethnic Affairs Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Mikhail Danilenko. V. Terent'ev read the congratulation to the new head of the Catholic diocese on behalf of Executive Committee Chairman Alexander Kosinets.
At his first press conference as bishop Oleg Boutkevitch admitted that it is not easy to talk about their feelings : "It's hard to describe in one word, I can not find it. Great experience... I feel great gratitude to God, Pope Francis. That I became a bishop - to my surprise. Nevertheless, this event happened - Vitebsk diatseziya a bishop. And let us hope that God who creates life in all things, he appointed this man. course, I look forward to helping priests, prayer people cooperation with the authorities and just good people. "
The new bishop has its own coat of arms, consisting of the images of the Mother of God icon Braslavskaya " Lady of the Lake " and the coat of arms of Vitebsk, and signatures Fiat voluntas tua (" Thy will be done " ). " Considering my background - I'm from Braslava, there was no question that should be on the arms. Course, this Virgin Braslavskaya. And the second point - the diocese of Vitebsk. This coat of arms with the image of Jesus Christ. Combining them together, I think, we got a good symbolism our Vitebsk diatsezii over which God's providence has put me shepherd "- explained Bishop Oleg Boutkevitch.
About his future plans primate said: " Revolutions do not plan to. But, as in every case, in every home, we have our own issues that need to be addressed. Have a great and sincere gratitude to my predecessor - the priest - bishop Wladyslaw Blin - for the fact that I do not come to an empty space. After church in Vitebsk region has 15 years of existence. And it is a merit Bishop Wladyslaw Blin. And all the issues will be resolved over time, with God's help. "
Bishop Oleg Boutkevitch born March 18, 1972 in the village Gerasimov Braslavskogo district. He graduated from the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University. Twenty years ago, in 1994, he entered the Major Seminary in Grodno. Priestly ordination adopted in 2000. Acting Vicar joining Novapolatsk Miory, the parish Beshenkovichi and Ole. Within ten years, since 2003, was rector of the parish of St. Anthony in Vitebsk and Vitebsk- dean of the deanery north.
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