Witness of Cyril Jancisin, Greek-Catholic priest

I am a priest of the Eastern rite. I got to know the spirituality of unity when I was still young, from my parents. As a youth I felt the vocation to the priesthood. During those years the Focolare Movement helped me to lay as the foundation of everything, living out the Gospel. Before being ordained, following our ancient tradition, I got married. I planned to work in the parish, but the Church entrusted me with an unexpected task: that of executive secretary of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, to which bishops of both the Latin and Eastern rite belong. I didn’t feel equal to such a delicate task, but I had a precious talent to put to use: the experience of communion I had lived as a young man and seminarian. This helped me to build bridges between the two traditions so as to give our small witness to the fact the Catholic Church breathes with both lungs. Since the fall of Communism, the Church in Slovakia has been enjoying the advantages of freedom. More than 74 percent of its inhabitants are Catholic, there are numerous vocations to the priesthood, the parishes are developing, churches are being built, new bishops are being consecrated. However, there are also many challenges. One of the strongest comes from western consumerism. The Church, still very tied to tradition, is seeking ways to witness to the living Christ in this changing society. In my work, I sometimes feel fragmented by the many things to do. I find the strength to react to this in communion. I try to build it every day in my family, with my wife and children, and then I continue at work. Jesus is present where two or three are united in his name, in his love. This is my secret, the precious pearl. To move in love – to move in Jesus. I meet often with my friends – priests and lay people – who share this life so as to immerse myself in his presence which is light, comfort, the answer to difficult situations. In this presence I also see the future of the Church in our country.