Borys HUDZIAK: I live with a great hope
This year the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), small university in Lviv, was among the national lea-ders in the university ranking Webometrics, which measures the success of universities based on the degree of their presence on the Internet. This is the only Catholic university in post-Soviet space and it has been around for 17 years financed exclusively by patrons without any government support. Charity ball will be held in Kyiv in the end of October. In this way university for the fourth year in a row is trying to draw the attention of Ukrainians not only to the needs and projects of the UCU but also to the revival of philanthropy traditions in Ukraine. A few days before the event Dr. Borys Hudziak, rector of the UCU told The Day about the plans and prospects of the university, catholic education in general and about peculiarities of church and religious life in Ukraine.
You were exalted to the priesthood in a fairly advanced age (38 years). Could you tell what became the point of no return, when making such an important decision?
“There were several good reasons due to which it was a long way for me to arrive at this decision, even though I felt my calling when I was still a child. I regarded priest mi-nistry with special awe and sense of responsibility. That is why I could not approach this issue carelessly. I didn’t waste any time but was neither running away from responsibility.
“I felt that God was calling me to finish my academic career first. That is why I’ve studied nine years to get my Ph.D. in Harvard University, known for its severe requirements. After receiving the scientific degree I came to Ukraine where I had to go through a certain period of adaptation, which also took quite some time. Not many Ukrainians from Diaspora, who did not hold high-paying ma-nagerial positions have moved and stayed in Ukraine. Some would rush at breakneck speed but could not stand it long.
“Besides, in Lviv there were a lot of important issues, particularly establishment of Institute of Church History and recording an oral history of the underground life of the UGCC. Since 1992, on behalf of Blessed Myroslav Ivan Liubachyvsky together with others I began working on the creation of the Ukrai-nian Catholic University. First, in 1994 Lviv Theological Academy (LTA) was revived. Taking into account the very specific academic tasks, at the age of 35 even the Blessed Liubomyr Huzar advised me not to rush with making a decision about the priesthood.
“My calling finally became clear in the LTA. When students and professors emphasized that they would like to see me as a priest, I realized – the time had come. Community call finally strengthened spiritual aspiration, which was being formed in me for many years.”
What is your vision of the future of Catholic universities in Europe in general and Ukraine in particular?
“Many European countries have different traditions of Catholic education. For example, in Italy there are more than 15 Catholic universities (mainly in Rome) and in large Spain and small Lebanon with population of four million people there are six universities of such kind in each country. Most of them are developing very well. They have good reputation as educational institutions, but some of them get secularized, that means they gradually loose their original religious spirit.
“In Ukraine, as well as in all the former Soviet countries, Ukrainian Catholic University is the only Catholic university. In my opinion, the Catholic education sector will expand over time.”
Do you see any conditions for opening Catholic universities, schools, and kindergartens as in Europe?
“European education in its modern sense is closely connected with history of church and its culture. I think that Ukraine will gradually open and develop this potential as it is a part of Europe. Today in Ukraine there are 4-5 Catholic schools and one Catholic university. Over time there will be more, but they will grow slowly because their activity is burdened by legal and financial difficulties. In particular, we pay for gas not at the rates for educational institution, but at those for a business. It is a serious financial burden.
“Development of Catholic education will determine the need for high quality education. Today this problem has already become urgent in the society, for example, many businessmen send their children to study (even at high school) abroad. It means they do not trust the national education. Something has to be done about it, because children who studied abroad at the age from 14 till 24 will unlikely come back home. Country can not afford to lose its elite. Sooner or later, this elite will financially support the development of Ukrainian education. They will be looking for the ways to improve it, particularly through religious and spiritual principles. Therefore, there will be Catholic or simply confessional kindergartens, schools, and universities.”
Your tenure as rector of the university is coming to an end. What do you plan to do next?
“It seems to me that university people do not really want me to leave and maybe I will have to serve another cadence as a rector. However, the decision will be made by the supervisory board (Senate) of the UCU.
“There are many unfinished matters that I can not leave to the mercy of fate. For example, recently the construction of a unique university campus has begun. This project includes Collegium, library, academic building, and university church. Construction began in 2010. In 2012 we plan to commission one dormitory for students and professors. It will be a small complex, where a student will be able not to just spend a night but to continue full-time studies, play sports, relax, etc. Construction of the campus is planned to be finished in 2015. By the way, the construction is carried out without any governmental aid solely on donations from benefactors.”
You mentioned patrons. Who among famous Ukrainian support this and other projects of the university?
“Among our patron there are known Ukrainian businessmen Vitalii Antonov, Philia Zhebrovska, Oleh Bakhmatiuk, and Vasyl Danyliv. UCU receives great financial and moral support from Ukrainians abroad and non-Ukrainians who are concerned with the situation in our country and church. For example, our Fund in the US received 60 percent of all donations from people of non-Ukrainian origin.
“In spring we reported that Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash has become one of the biggest donators, who contributed to the construction of our campus in Lviv. He will support this project until the campus is finished. Adrian Slivotsky, one of the most outstanding specialists of modern management, Ukrainian-born has also made his contribution to the construction project. University chapel was built on the funds provided by Ukrainian businessmen and the lion’s share of the donations was received from Lviv businessman Yaroslav Rushchyshyn. I must say that UCU campus is a unique project for Ukraine, but also a very expensive one: we need 4-5 million dollars for construction works each year. That is why the search for funds and patrons still continues and we gladly welcome anyone who is willing to help.
“Searching for funds for our university we can see how slowly but surely the philanthropy and charity traditions are revived and developed in Ukraine. While ten years ago there could be no question about searching for financial support within the country, today we bear witness of support not only from famous and rich people, but also from middle class representatives. Perhaps, Ukrainians have become a little richer, but the real cause is that there is more awareness of responsibility and an understanding of a common cause.”
You stick with the American model of behavior in dealing with students. I was told that you are inviting students for lunch or a cup of tea at your home. Why have you chosen this approach? When, do you think, this kind of communication model between rector and students will be accepted throughout Ukraine?
“My parents who came to the US from Ukraine practiced hospitability and sociability. I remember having many guests at our home. That is why, when I moved to Ukraine I brought this tradition with me. Every month there are about 200 guests in my place. Not everyone is ready to open his private life. However, in my opinion, today’s lack of trust in the society and unhealthy human relations, when people do not trust each other, should be cured with openness and willingness to help. I love to interact with students in an informal setting – then you can see and understand things you would never be able to feel in a classroom.”
Ukrainian society is now seeing how political component is influencing religious life in Ukraine. In your opinion, how serious is this impact?
“Taking into account the structure of modern society and comparing it with other countries, it becomes obvious that the convection between government and church is exaggerated. It has always been that way and every church felt it. Of course, it causes damage to church. Church has to, first of all, solve spiritual issues. Church has to deal with people’s souls and not with politics. When politics takes first place, spiritual things fade into the background. Church should inspire politics and should not be a puppet of political parties, candidates, or government structures.”
In current political situation we can see the increasing of “frictions” between main religious confessions in Ukraine. How could they come to a dialogue, as all the religions recognize that the love to one’s neighbor is the most important commandment of God?
“I do not have a simple answer to this question. Of course, the society is worried about the disunity among Christians and it alienates people from the church, in particular young people. I am sure of one thing: you need to do good each day for the unity of all God’s children.”
The Day’s FACT FILE
Father Borys Hudziak was born November 24, 1960 in Syracuse, New York, US in a family of Ukrainian immigrants. He studied at Syracuse University (US), the Pontifical Urban University, and at the Pontifical University of Oriental Studies in Italy. He earned Ph.D. degree in Slavic and Byzantine cultural history from Harvard University in 1992. The same year he came to Ukraine and founded the Institute of Church History, which collected the memories of survivors of the underground Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Since that time he permanently resides in Ukraine. In 1993 Hudziak became the head of the commission for the Renewal of the Lviv Theological Academy (LTA), which was founded in 1928-29 in Lviv by Metropolitan Andrii Sheptytsky. This institution was closed in 1944 by Soviet government and was revived 50 years later. In 1995 through 2000 he held the position of vice-rector of the Academy. In 2000 Hudziak was sworn in as rector. He was exalted to the priesthood in 1998. In 2002 LTA changed its status – Ukrainian Catholic University was formed. Hudziak is now serving the second cadence at the post of rector.
