Focolare Movement

New Greek Catholic Patriarch

Jun 27, 2017

Joseph Absi, Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus, has been elected to guide the Greek Catholic Church. The new Patriarch, who succeeds 85 year-old Gregory III Laham, studied theology in France and Lebanon. He earned a licenciate in philosophy at the Lebanese State University and a PhD in music at the Pontifical University of Kaslik. Archbishop Absi […]

Joseph Absi, Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus, has been elected to guide the Greek Catholic Church. The new Patriarch, who succeeds 85 year-old Gregory III Laham, studied theology in France and Lebanon. He earned a licenciate in philosophy at the Lebanese State University and a PhD in music at the Pontifical University of Kaslik. Archbishop Absi belongs to the Missionary Society of Saint Paul (Paulist Fathers). He has been a priest since 1973 and Superior General since 1999. He was ordained a bishop in 2001 and was president of the Syrian Caritas, promoting more than 40 projects in Damascus, Aleppo and Hassaké with the help of collaborators. One topic that is particulary dear to the new Melkite Patriarch is the unity among Catholic Eastern Churches.  

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