The Lord has made for me great things because His Name is holy and His power is manifested in our weakness; so that people see our deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven.
The Lord has made for me great things because His Name is holy and His power is manifested in our weakness; so that people see our deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven.
With all joy and faith I have the pleasure to announce to all among you, brothers and sisters who have played an important role in my life during the past forty two years of my priesthood, with your friendship, with your encouragement and with your financial help as well, that I have been chosen by the Holy Synod of the Melkite Catholic Church to be the Archbishop of Galilee. I was notified officially on 7th February and did not want to wait to share the good news and the meaning of my new responsibility for the Melkite Church in Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Israel.
I did not dream of this responsibility and this great honor. My dreams were different. At sixty-five years of age my ambition was to dedicate the rest of my life to prayer, reading and writing, but like Paul on the way to Damascus the Lord seems to tell me that he is the one in control. My answer is, "Here I am Lord. I am your servant to continue the ministry of reconciliation and to proclaim more forcefully the Good News about the Empty Tomb and the Risen Lord." No doubt my first reaction was tears of awe, of joy and of gratitude.
I extend in my prayer and in my friendship a very warm greeting of peace and justice to all my brothers and sisters, Moslems, Jews and Druze, on behalf of you and myself . we who have been baptized in the name of Christ.
More detailed news we will provide whenever available concerning the installation and related changes in my life.
I would rely on your prayers and continued friendship and support.
Peace be to you all.
Abuna Elias Chacour
