Archbishop Sheptytsky’s story a tangled one
I write today about an obscure church leader of a national denomination of a long-suffering Eastern European nation.
If you are Ukrainian, have studied Ukraine history or are familiar with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church you may know the tangled story of Andrey Sheptytsky (1865–1944), archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church during seven different ruling authorities and two world wars. Church historian Jaroslav Pelikan claims that Sheptytsky was the most important Ukrainian religious figure in the 20th century.
Andrey Sheptytsky’s story indicates how difficult it is to live out one’s faith, particularly when pinched between the atheistic Soviet Union and the anti-Semitic Nazi regime and his own Ukrainian Church. The competing allegiances and uncertain outcomes in those years in Ukraine practically guaranteed that anybody practicing faith would make some missteps. Sheptytsky, a heroic figure in many ways, also made choices that he would later regret, choices still being debated today.
Prior to World War II, Ukraine was oppressed and brutalized by the godless leadership of the Soviet Union. People of faith were kidnapped and murdered. In 1941, when it appeared that the Soviets could be driven decisively from Ukraine by the Germans, Archbishop Sheptytsky officially welcomed the invading Nazis, believing they could make Ukraine free and independent.
At best it was a naïve decision. The reality was quite different. Jews and other minorities were shipped to furnaces, aided by some Ukrainians. When Sheptytsky eventually recognized his misread of the Germans, he began opposing their regime. He preached against racial and ethnic hatred and personally provided sanctuary to 160 Jews, saving them from the gas furnaces.
But then, when the German regime began crumbling and the Soviets again threatened to conquer Ukraine, Archbishop Sheptytsky supported the creation of a Ukrainian military unit to fight the Soviets. That seemed like a good idea, but that regiment remains controversial to this very day because it included many former SS supporters who continued their hate-filled campaign against Jews and other minorities while wearing Ukrainian uniforms.
Was Sheptytsky a hero or something less? A courageous resister or an enabler of fascism? Last year, Pope Francis officially recognized the heroic virtue of this late archbishop and Sheptytsky is glowingly remembered by the Jews who are alive because of his personal efforts. But due to his initial welcome of the Nazis and his support of that controversial Ukrainian military unit, Sheptytsky has repeatedly been rejected for inclusion at Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial to courageous Gentiles who saved Jewish life.
As WWII recedes from memory, one recognizes that the choices faced were not easy. There were few clearcut answers, even though it looks so simple now. 70 years after his death there is no unanimity about Sheptytsky’s witness.
The days we live in are not all that different. Each of us must act with as much light as we have, recognizing that there are few unambiguous choices, even for those who try to live faithfully, morally and ethically. Sheptytsky is a Christian who did the best he could under extremely challenging circumstances.
Creede Hinshaw
