Msgr. William Haddad

ATLANTA--Father John Ghaby has been appointed as the new pastor of St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church upon the retirement of Msgr. William Haddad, the church’s founder and pastor of 44 years.

A farewell gathering was held to honor Msgr. Haddad on Nov. 21. Archbishop John F. Donoghue, Bishop John Elya of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, Mass., Archbishop Francois Abou Mokh, Melkite patriarchal vicar and archbishop of Damascus, attended, along with Msgr. Donald Kiernan, pastor of All Saints Church in Dunwoody, and additional clergy, parishioners and friends of Msgr. Haddad. Representatives from the Byzantine Ukrainian rite, the Maronite church and the Orthodox church also attended.

Archbishop Donoghue said that during his tenure in Atlanta, Msgr. Haddad has been a good shepherd.

“I cannot tell you how many people who knew I was coming here this evening expressed to me their best affection and great admiration for Msgr. Haddad,” he said. “And I am happy to bring these greetings from the Latin rite priests and laymen to thank him for all that he has done for us.”

His successor, Father Ghaby, 53, was born in Tyre, Lebanon. In 1985, he joined the Monastery of the Resurrection in Faraya, Lebanon, where he spent one year living monastic life. He then entered the Seminary of St. Anne, Lebanon, where he stayed for two years. Following that, Father Ghaby spent four years at St. Paul Seminary in Harissa, Lebanon. During this time, he received his priestly education at the St. Paul Institute of Philosophy and Theology.

Father Ghaby was ordained a priest on May 23, 1992, in Victoria, Australia. He has served in churches in Melbourne and Sidney, Australia, and at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Boston.

Father Ghaby will continue the work begun by Msgr. Haddad, who leaves a legacy of service to the Melkite community going back to 1954. In September of that year, Bishop Francis Hyland of Savannah called Msgr. Haddad and informed him that the Melkite Catholic Patriarchate wanted him to come to Atlanta and become the Melkite pastor there. He was in residence for a year at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as the present church building at 1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue was bought and remodeled. St. John’s was dedicated in June 1957.

Representatives from the Melkite community, St. John’s Parish and the Arab-American community in Atlanta, as well as fellow priests, all expressed their best wishes for Msgr. Haddad.

Bishop Elya also spoke about Msgr. Haddad, thanking him for his generosity and hospitality. He added that Msgr. Haddad has shared in the sorrowful and joyful occasions of his parishioners, and in the activities of Middle Eastern traditions. He then thanked Msgr. Haddad for his love and devotion to his parish.

Msgr. Kiernan said that a chapter in his own life would close with the departure of Msgr. Haddad, who has been a brother to him. He and the other speakers also welcomed the new pastor. In retirement, Msgr. Haddad will live in Florida.