Biography of Metropolitan Archbishop Basil

On May 3, 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed then-Bishop Basil, Bishop of Parma, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh, succeeding the late Metropolitan Judson. Metropolitan Basil was enthroned at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa., on July 9, 2002.

Metropolitan Basil was born on July 21, 1939 in Freeland, Pa., the son of the late Mary (Krusko) and Michael Schott. He is one of five children. His siblings are: Mary Ann, Michael, Sister Helen, OSBM, and the late Paul.

He was baptized in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Freeland, PA., and then spent his early teen years in Hazleton, Pa., where he attended St. John Byzantine Catholic Church. He attended St. Mary Byzantine Catholic School in Freeland, and St. Gabriel High School in Hazleton.

Metropolitan Basil entered the Byzantine Franciscans novitiate on August 3, 1958 and was professed on August 4, 1959. He holds degrees in philosophy, theology and pastoral counseling.

Bishop Stephen J. Kocisko, bishop of Passaic, ordained Metropolitan Basil to the priesthood on August 29, 1965 at the Holy Protection Monastery in New Canaan, Conn.

Following his ordination, he served in numerous offices within the Byzantine Franciscan Community and the Order of Friars Minor in general. Among the offices he held are: hegumen, protohegumen, director of formation, director of novices, director of vocations, custodial councilor, custodial treasurer and spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscans.

In January of 1988, Father Basil was appointed a member of the General Visitation Team, by the minister general of the Order of Friars Minor, to conduct visitations for various Franciscan Communities in the United States.

The Metropolitan was also active in pastoral ministry in parishes of the Pittsburgh, Parma, Passaic and Van Nuys (Arch)eparchies as well as in the Ukrainian and Melkite eparchies.

He has extensive experience in conducting retreats, workshops and the renewal programs for clergy, religious, seminarians, and parish communities throughout the United States.

In the past, the Metropolitan has served as chaplain to the Holy Protection Monastery, Byzantine Nuns of St Clare in North Royalton, Ohio, and Holy Annunciation Monastery of the Byzantine Carmelite Nuns in Sugarloaf, Pa. He also taught in the religious education department of Byzantine Catholic High School in Parma, Ohio.

Immediately prior to his appointment as third bishop of the Eparchy of Parma in 1996, Metropolitan Basil served as Hegumen of Holy Dormition Monastery in Sybertsville, Pa.  In the Eparchy of Passaic, he also held the office of Syncellus for Priests and Religious and was a member of the Presbyteral Council.

On May 3, 1996, then-Father Basil was named Bishop of Parma. His episcopal ordination and enthronement took place on July 11, 1996 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Parma, Ohio. As Bishop of Parma, he shepherded the diverse and widespread eparchy with a gentle and steadying hand. His kind manner and care for his flock endeared him to his clergy and laity.

As a member of the Council of Hierarchs of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church, Bishop Basil, when Bishop of Parma, served as Secretary/Treasurer and episcopal liaison to the Intereparchial Ecumenical, Evangelization and Youth Commissions.  Presently, the metropolitan is the liaison to the Intereparchial Religious Education Commission.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Metropolitan Basil has served on the Consecrated Life and Evangelization Committees.  He is presently the Chairman of the Committee on the Relationship between the Eastern and Latin Churches and a member of the Administrative Board of the USCCB.

Metropolitan Basil also serves as President of the Eastern Catholic Associates, the national organization for Eastern Catholic Bishops in the United States.

Metropolitan Basil Select Chronology

July 21, 1939 – born in Freeland, Pa.

August 4, 1959 – professed as a Byzantine Franciscan

August 29, 1965 – ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stephen Kocisko

July 11, 1996 – ordained and enthroned as the third Bishop of Parma

July 9, 2002 – enthroned as the fourth Metropolitan Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh