Episcopal Elections

Election of Archbishop of Beirut and Two Bishops of Patriarchal Curia

The Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Patriarchal Church has elected as archbishop of Beirut, Bishop Paul Abdel Sater, currently bishop of the Patriarchal Curia.

The Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Patriarchal Church has elected as bishops of the Patriarchal Curia, the Rev. Antoine Aoukar, O.A.M., and the Rev. Peter Karam, to which the Holy Father has given his assent, and has assigned them the titular sees of Ptolomais in Phoenicia of the Maronites, and Arcena in Phoenicia of the Maronites.

Bishop-elect Antoine Aoukar, O.A.M., was born in 1964 in Mreiji, Beirut, Lebanon, gave his religious vows in 1995, and was ordained a priest in 1996. He holds a licentiate in mathematics from the Lebanese University, a licentiate in theology and another in biblical theology from the Institut Catholique of Lyon, and a doctorate in biblical studies from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

Since ordination, he has held a number of pastoral and academic roles, including: professor of sacred scripture in various universities, parish priest, chaplain of the Foi et Lumière Community, and superior of the Monastery of Mar Chaya. He is currently vicar general of his order.

Bishop-elect, Peter Karam, was born in 1959, in Beirut, Lebanon, and was ordained a priest in 1988. After studying at the Maronite Seminary in Washington, U.S.A., he obtained a licentiate from the Catholic University of America and a doctorate in philosophy from the Ludwig-Maximillians Universität in Münich, Germany.

Since ordination, he has served in a number of roles, including head of the Maronite Mission of Saint Joseph in Seattle, Washington; parish priest in Cleveland, Ohio; Director of the Office for the Protection of Minors, Director of Ongoing Formation of the Clergy, member of the college of consultors, and syncellus for the clergy.