Bishop Sipovich new file

45 embrace the larger number of Russians from Great Russia proper". In other words, Father Sipovich and his Belarusians were all right, but the time had come to do serious work... This may explain why the Byzantine rite chapel at "Marian House" was planned even before its purchase. The Oriental Congregation was not in favour with Buchyss idea of having one Byzantine rite mission for Belarusians and Russians, as can be seen from Cardinal Tisserant letter to him of 18 February 1948: "Since there are differences of various nature between Belarusians and Russians, it is clear that it would be better to keep the two institutions separate, even if they use the same chapel" 31 .. Father Sipovich, referring to this letter wrote to Buchys on 7 April 1948: "Indeed from my own experience I know how difficult it is for one and the same person to carry out simultaneously this apostolic work: often the exaggerated nationalism from both sides is a great obstacle. For this reason I wish that a Russian priest could come as soon as possible to London and dedicate himself exclusively to the work among Russians". Then he continues: "I wish to ask that neither the Marians nor the Sacred Oriental Congregation should call me (to be appointed) For Belarusians and Russians or something similar. I am debtor to all, and according to my strength and conscience I wish to serve all (in a way that) the love of ones native country should not be an impediment for us to exhort all to the heavenly fatherland, yet in the present circumstances if Belarusians knew that I have been appointed also for Russians, they would have cause to act against my Mission. At the present time all know me as a Belarusian priest (who has been sent) for Belarusians; at the same time no one of my compatriots could be scandalised if I as a Catholic priest had dealings also with Russians". Finally he adds: "Despite all these differences I think it possible to have a common Byzantine-Slavonic chapel for Belarusians and Russians in the house of the Marian Fathers". The decision to send the two Russian priests to London was Buchyss alone. The priests in question were Fathers Andrew Katkov and George Brianchaninov, both members of the Marian Congregation and ordained in Rome in 1944. They both came in 1938 to Rome from Harbin, where they were educated in the school founded by Father Abrantovich and the Belarusian Marian Fathers from Druia. The reaction of Father Sipovich to the announcement of Buchys was mixed. In principle he was in favour of a separate Russian Mission with its own priest. As the date of the arrival of the two priests was drawing near he wrote to Buchys on 7 February 1950: "Until now I have been charged with the pastoral care of Russians in England. After the arrival of the (Russian) Fathers I shall ask the Oriental Congregation to relieve me of this duty and leave me (in charge of) the spiritual care of Belarusians. In my opinion the best solution would be as follows: to establish a Russian Catholic Mission in England and leave the Belarusian Mission as it is. The address may be the same, but the spheres of work different... Fathers Andrew and George are pupils of the Belarusian Fathers... This fact alone should put them under an obligation to be loyal with respect to the Belarusian Catholic Church... I admit that I am not pleased with the arrival of Father Andrew. He is a great individualist and nationalist; moreover he is secretive and very suspicious. I have never succeeded in talking with him openly, in a brotherly manner...". The two priests arrived in April 1950. Father Sipovich organised on Sunday 23 April a small reception in their honour, which was duly reported in the Catholic Herald . On the surface the relations between the three priests were good, but 31 "Siccome tra i Bianco-russi e Russi corrono delle differenze di varia natura, é chiaro che sarebbe bene tenere le due opere distinte, sia pure servendosi della medesima capella".