Prominent Israeli priest named new Melkite archbishop in Israel

Published: 2006-02-15

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- For the first time, the Vatican and the Melkite Catholic Synod of Bishops have agreed on an Israeli citizen to be archbishop of Akko, Israel. Father Elias Chacour, parish priest of the northern Galilee village of Ibillin and founder and director of Mar Elias College there, said his appointment was submitted by the Vatican and endorsed by the Melkite Synod of Bishops in Lebanon Feb. 8. Normally, the bishops submit a list of names, and the pope appoints Eastern Catholic bishops. As of Feb. 15, the Vatican had not announced the appointment, but it was announced in Israel after the synod met. The archbishop-elect has been active in reconciliation and interfaith dialogue in Israel, both personally and through Mar Elias College, and was awarded the 2001 Niwano Peace Prize. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

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