Byzantine Jesuit becomes youngest Catholic archbishop.

Last Thursday, the Vatican announced the appointment of Jesuit Father Cyril Vasil' as secretary of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, with the rank of archbishop. A Greek Catholic from Slovakia, Father Vasil' is currently rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. Born in 1965, the Archbishop-elect was ordained a priest of the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Prešov at the age of 22 and entered the Slovak Province of the Society of Jesus three years later. At 37, Father Vasil' was named dean of the faculty of Eastern canon law and pro-rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. Two years ago, at age 42, he was named rector. Now, at 44, Father Vasil' is poised to become the youngest serving archbishop in the Catholic Church. Though his youth may attract notice, Vasil' will not be the only Slovak Greek Catholic Jesuit in the Church's hierarchy: the Metropolitan Archbishop of Prešov, Ján Babjak, is also a Jesuit. I hope that you will join me in praying for Archbishop-elect Cyril Vasil' as he prepares to receive the omophorion and to begin his service at the Oriental Congregation. Eis polla eti, Despota! AMDG.