LETTER TO THE MAYOR OF CLEVELAND, OHIO

00120 Vatican City, Italy

April 5, 1982

Honorable Sir,

Your Proclamation of March 27th on the occasion of my 90th Birthday and the 65th Anniversary of my Priesthood in which you dedicated the 28th of March as "Joseph Cardinal Slipyj Day In Cleveland" has been received and has touched me deeply. I appreciate your endeavors very much and thank you most graciously. Not only do you give honor to me who for 18 years was not only banished into exile but with my people imprisoned in the Soviet prisons of Siberia. They, too, share in the glory of this present celebration. Our Ukrainian Church and Nation has suffered and still continues to be oppressed by the Soviet regime in a Godless country. How fortunate we are to have men of your caliber who understand and respect that for which we proudly suffered. We are certainly proud of our people who for the cause of Christ and His Chrurch decry the injustices of world leaders who under Godless principles have spread their false idealism far and wide.

Your Honor, you have promulgated this unforgettable tribute to honor me and I am most grateful. In reciprocation of your endeavors, I pray that the Almighty God bless you and your family with life's benefits which He freely gives to those who labor for the welfare of others. May the Lord God be your inspiration and hope in fulfillment of your responsibility as Mayor of a great city. In your kindness remember with solicitous thoughts my suffering Ukrainian Catholic Church and my beloved people who are living in bondage.

May the Lord God Almighty bless you now and forever!

City of Cleveland

George V. Voinovich, Mayor

PROCLAMATION

Designation Sunday, March 28, 1982, as «Joseph Cardinal Slipyj day in Cleveland»

The Ukrainian Catholic Presbytery of Ohio and the United Ukrainian Organizations of Greater Cleveland are sponsoring a Jubilee concert honoring the recent 90th Birthday and 65th Anniversary of Priesthood of His Beatitude Joseph Cardinal Slipyj, the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The concert and commemorative program will be held March 28, 1982, at St. Pokrova Cultural Center.

Cardinal Slipyj reached this blessed age despite 18 years of Soviet imprisonment. In 1963 he was released from a labor camp thanks to the intervention of the late Pope John XXIII and came to Rome.

The Ukrainians from Greater Cleveland, as well as admirers from all ethnic groups, had the opportunity to meet and salute the heroic prince of the silent Ukrainian Catholic Church during his unforgettable visit to Cleveland in May of 1973. His Beatitude was received at City Hall with honors traditionally given to the head of a friendly state.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church, is now prohibited in Soviet Ukraine.

Cardinal Slipyj, as the spiritual leader in exile for the past 19 years was able to organize a two million strong religious community outside of the Ukraine ad give it a sense of unity and purpose in view of a possible renewal in the Ukraine.

Now, therefore, I, George V. Voinovich, Mayor of the City of Cleveland, do hereby proclaim Sunday, March 28, 1982, as "Joseph Cardinal Slipyj day in Cleveland". I urge all citizens to join our Ukrainian brothers in their tribute to their Patriarch who is recognized by all freedom-loving people as one of the most respected spiritual leaders of this century.

Mohaya lita, vashe Blazhenstvo!

In witness whereof, I have set my hand and caused the

Corporate Seal of the City of Cleveland to be affixed on

this 27th Day of March in the Year 1982.