Metropolitan Archbishop Basil M. Schott, O.F.M.
0005883754-01-1.jpg His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Myron Schott, O.F.M., fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, June 10, 2010 at UPMC Passavant Hospital, suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-vania after a valiant seven m o n t h s battle with cancer. He was the Metropolitan of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church in America, and the A r c h b i s h o p of Pittsburgh.
Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Myron Schott was born in Freeland, Pennsylvania on July 21, 1939, the youngest of the five children of the now late Michael Schott and Mary Krusko Schott.
His early education was at Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic School in Freeland and at Saint Gabriel High School in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
He entered the Byzantine Franciscans at Holy Dormition Monastery in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania on August 3, 1958, and he made the profession of his religious vows there a year later.
On August 29, 1965 he was ordained to the holy priesthood by Bishop (later Archbishop) Stephen J. Kocisko at the Franciscan Monastery in New Canaan, Connecticut.
He held bachelor degrees in philosophy and theology, and a master’s degree in theology and pastoral counseling.
Metropolitan Basil served in many areas of monastic, pastoral, parochial, and academic life.
Within his Franciscan Community he held the offices of superior, councilor, treasurer, and director of formation on every level. He was the Spiritual Assistant for the Secular Franciscans and he was also the chaplain to several communities of women religious. His experience in giving retreats, workshops and renewal programs for clergy, religious, seminarians, and laity was extensive.
He worked in parishes throughout the Byzantine Catholic Metropolia and in the Ukrainian and Melkite Eparchies as well.
He taught in the religious education departments of the Byzantine Catholic High School in Parma, Ohio and of Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
The Metropolitan was ordained a bishop and enthroned as the third bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma on July 11, 1996.
On May 3, 2002 the Holy F a t h e r appointed h i m Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, and he was enthroned at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall on July 9 of the same year.
The Metropolitan chose as his hierarchical logo, “In the name of the Lord,” and in that Name he cited evangelization, ecumenism and renewal of the Gospel life as the hope and focus for his ministry of leadership.
During his eight years as Metropolitan Archbishop he instituted programs for Renewal and Revitalization on different levels throughout the Archeparchy, established an Office of Communications, and accomplished all of the components necessary for the ongoing Protection of Children and Youth in accord with the Charter published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He also increased the number of members in the various boards, commissions and offices of the Archeparchy while expanding their responsibilities and involvement as well.
Under his d i r e c t i o n, significant improvements were made to the B y z a n t i n e Catholic World, the official newspaper of the Archeparchy
The accreditation of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary by the A s s o c i a t i o n o f T h e o l o g i c a l Schools was completed during his tenure as President of the Board of Directors for the Seminary.
Recently the Holy Father appointed Metropolitan Basil a member of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. He served as the President of the Eastern Christian Associates whose membership is com prised of all of the Eastern Catholic Bishops in the United States, and he was influential in the organization for the Eastern Bishops into the new Region XV of the U n i t e d States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Presently in the Conference The Metropolitan was serving on the committees for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; the subcommittees on Marriage and Family Life and on Catholic Home Missions; and on the Task Force on Promotion of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.
In the Pittsburgh area, the Metropolitan was an active member of Christian Leaders of the Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, an ecumenical group comprised of the heads of the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox judicatories.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Paul.
Survivors i n c l u d e h i s brother, Michael Schott of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania; sisters: M a r y A n n P e t e r s o n of Pottstown, Pennsylvania and Sister Helen Schott, O.S.B.M., of the Sisters of St. Basil, Uniontown, Pennsylvania; also nieces and nephews and their families.
Metropolitan Basil’s body will be received a t h i s CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST on Greentree Road, Munhall, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, June 16, at 1 p.m. The visiting hours on both Wednesday and Thursday (June 17) are from 1 to 9 p.m. with the Prayer Services for a Priest in the evenings at 7 p.m. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 18.
Interment will follow in Mount Macrina Cemetery in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
He will be long remembered as a kind pastoral father whose leadership qualities and capabilities were enhanced by his ability to touch and embrace people with his caring ways, and with the special gift of an extraordinary sense of humor.
Arrangements entrusted to SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME INC., 3501 Main Street, Munhall, PA 15120 (412.462.2288).
www.swgfuneralhome.com