Lebanese Ministry of Information
Syrian Bishop Joseph Absi Wednesday was elected the new patriarch of the Melkite-Greek Catholic Church. “It’s great, he’s an educated man, an administrative man, a man of reconciliation and an open man,” President of the Melkite-Greek Catholic League Maroun Bou Rjeily told The Daily Star.
The election of Absi comes a month after Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the previous patriarch, Gregorius III Lahham, who had held the position since Nov. 29, 2000.
The Synod convened Monday to begin deliberation on a new patriarch. Former Telecommunications Minister Nicolas Sehnaoui also welcomed Absi’s election to the post.
“My opinion is that [the election of the patriarch] is good … we support the patriarchate, and hopefully he is up for the task. His reputation is good, his honor is good and his personality is nice, this is what we know,” he said.
Minister of State for Planning Affairs, Michel Pharaon, expressed his appreciation that the election had come to a swift end, while noting Absi was coming to the role during a difficult time in Lebanon and the region.
“We are comfortable that the elections ended as they should have. Times are difficult, Christians are facing a lot of difficulties, and we are a sect present in more than one country, so this will be a large task for him, and we wish him success,” he said.
“He’s an experienced bishop who has seen a lot and who knows the ins and outs of the war in Syria and the threat to Christians in Syria … he has good experience and he’s respected, so this is the foundation to be able to carry [his] responsibility,” Pharaon added.
Sources following the election told The Daily Star earlier this week that several politicians had backed various candidates. Justice Minister Salim Jreisatti supported Zahle Bishop Issam Darwiche, Michel Pharaon backed Beirut Bishop Salim Butros, and the Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdel-Karim Ali put his weight behind a Syrian bishop for the post.
According to a statement Bou Rjeily made to The Daily Star at the time, the Order of Melkite Paulists had backed Absi in the elections.
Bou Rjeily was quick to dismiss claims of difficulties within the church and reports of the interference in the election by politicians.
“I’ve said that all of this is talk from outside and is baseless, it’s the opposite. The patriarch got the majority of two thirds of the votes. This shows that there is agreement on [his election] and that everyone hopes for his success and that we are all standing next to him,” he said.
Pharaon, on the other hand, seemed to acknowledge that there had been issues during the election.
“There have been small internal crises, but now thankfully we have overcome it,” Pharaon said.
“There is a necessity to look after the church internally, in the region and to be in touch with the West, For sure this is an important moment, and the dream is big for the patriarch, and we hope for his success,” he added.
