Cyril Vasil

Cyril Vasil

Slovak prelate and curial dignitary
Date of Birth: 10.04.1965
Country: Slovakia

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Joining the Society of Jesus and Doctoral Degree
  3. Ecclesiastical Roles and Appointments
  4. Polyglot and Author
  5. Appointment as Archbishop and Secretary
  6. Episcopal Ordination

Early Life and Education

Cyril Vasiľ, a prominent Slovak prelate and curial official, was born in Košice, Slovakia, into a Greek Catholic priestly family. He pursued theological studies at the Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology in Bratislava from 1982 to 1987, culminating in his ordination as a priest on June 14, 1987, in Prešov. In 1989, he earned a licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome.

Joining the Society of Jesus and Doctoral Degree

In 1990, Vasiľ entered the Society of Jesus, taking his vows in 2001. Concurrently, he continued his studies, obtaining a doctorate in Eastern Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in 1994. In 2002, he was elected dean of the Faculty of Eastern Canon Law at the Pontifical Oriental Institute and pro-rector, becoming its rector in May 2007 – the first Greek Catholic to hold this position.

Ecclesiastical Roles and Appointments

Throughout his career, Vasiľ served as a consultor to the Congregation for Eastern Churches, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. He was also appointed an expert at the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in 2005. As a professor, he lectured at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, the Theological Faculty of the University of Bratislava, and the University of Trnava. In 2003, he was named chaplain of the International Federation of European Boy Scouts.

Polyglot and Author

Vasiľ is fluent in multiple languages, including his native Slovak, Latin, Italian, English, Russian, Ukrainian, French, German, Spanish, Greek, and Church Slavonic. He has authored numerous books and articles and contributed to Vatican Radio.

Appointment as Archbishop and Secretary

On May 7, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Vasiľ as titular Archbishop of Ptolemais in Libya and Secretary of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, the Roman Curia dicastery then headed by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. He succeeded Archbishop Antonio Maria Vegliò, who had become president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People on February 28, 2009.

Episcopal Ordination

Vasiľ's episcopal ordination took place on June 14, 2009, the 22nd anniversary of his priestly ordination. The ceremony was presided over by his former bishop, Slavomír Miklovš, with concelebrants Archbishop Ján Babjak of Prešov and Bishop Milan Chautur of Košice.

© BIOGRAPHS