Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik, Wojciech Rogacin – Vatican
Archbishop Przybylski: Humbled by God’s trust
The Metropolitan of Katowice tells Vatican News that the pallium he will receive is a sign of the unity of the Church in Silesia, of the entire Upper Silesian metropolis, with the Holy Father.
“It means that Silesia is not only one with Poland, but also one with the Church in Rome,” he says.
The archbishop has two reflections accompanying the reception of the pallium – on trust and commitment. “I am simply humbled by such trust from the Lord God and the Church, that they place the entire local Church on the shoulders of a weak man,” says Archbishop Przybylski.
“On the other hand, it is a great commitment, because it is not enough to accept a sign, a symbol; one must respond strongly to that sign,” he adds.
He emphasizes that the sign of the pallium is to remind him that he takes the local Church – all people, close and distant to the Church – on his shoulders.
Addressing the faithful, Archbishop Przybylski stated that he wishes to bear the responsibility placed upon him with the faithful, for not only must the shepherd carry the sheep on his shoulders, but the sheep – as Jesus indicated – must also follow the shepherd and know his voice.
“By accepting the pallium, I would like us to create such a sheepfold where the shepherd knows the direction, has a vision, but the sheep want to follow him because they understand him and want to jointly take responsibility for the reality of the Church,” added the Metropolitan of Katowice.
Cardinal Ryś: obedience, security, love
Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Metropolitan of Krakow, told Vatican News before receiving the pallium that this would be the sixth time he would pledge obedience in the Church. “It’s interesting that the Lord Jesus asks me for this promise so often. But it also gives me a sense of security, that I am not doing anything on my own, but precisely in unity with Peter, in unity with others,” says Cardinal Ryś.
The Metropolitan indicates that the pallium is also an external sign that he takes the Krakow metropolis, with which he has already grown close, on his shoulders. “There is nothing obvious about this. Each time it is newly given,” he adds.
And he conveys the word “love” to the faithful of the Church of Krakow. As Cardinal Ryś says, the only competence that makes someone a shepherd is love. “This is a great word. Not all relationships are equally simple, not everyone has to agree with me. But I need to say that I truly do nothing against anyone, but always out of respect and love for those entrusted to me,” emphasizes the shepherd of the Church of Krakow.
Cardinal Krajewski: to accompany those who have lost their way
The Metropolitan of Łódź, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, emphasizes that wearing the pallium signifies a strengthening of the relationship between the Holy Father and the local Church, but it is also a responsibility that is not about governing.
“It is about the bishop’s responsibility for people whose dignity needs to be restored; for people who have lost their way; for people who need to find themselves in the Church. For the pallium is a sign of the sheep carried by the shepherd, a sheep that has gone astray,” says Cardinal Krajewski.
He adds that this relationship between the bishop and the people concerns everyone. “Each of us, to some extent, gets lost somewhere, which is why this pallium is sometimes so very heavy,” he says, because it is about noticing these people, being present among them, and accompanying them.
“The Holy Father himself wears the pallium and shares this pallium with each of us, so that we may imitate Christ, the Good Shepherd,” concludes Cardinal Krajewski in an interview with Vatican News.
