19.01.2012 – Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem – Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Maroun Elias Lahham as Auxiliary Bishop and Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan. His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Bishops and priests of the Latin Patriarchate welcome the announcement with joy. “We offer prayers and convey our best wishes to the new Bishop.”
Bishop Maroun succeeds Bishop Selim Sayegh, who presented his resignation upon reaching the age limit for diocesan bishops according to canon 401 § 1 of the Canon Law
Bishop Lahham was Archbishop of Tunis, below is his Curriculum Vitae:
Curriculum Vitae
Bishop Maroun Elias Lahham was born in Irbed Jordan, on July 20, 1948. From 1961 to 1972, he completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Beit Jala, where he received a bachelor degree in philosophy and theology.
He was ordained priest in Jerusalem on June 24, 1972 by Patriarch James Beltritti. He held the following positions after his ordination:
1972-1975, vicar of the parish of Christ the King, in Misdar (Amman), 1975-1976, vicar of the parish of Fuheis, Jordan, 1976-1979, Fidei Donum priest in Dubai, UAE (United Arab Union) where, along with Bishop Gremoli, OFM Cap., he served the different Christian communities in different languages for three years, 1979-1981, vicar in the parish of Christ the King, in Misdar, Amman, 1981-1988, pastor in Madaba, Jordan,
1972-1975, vicar of the parish of Christ the King, in Misdar (Amman), 1975-1976, vicar of the parish of Fuheis, Jordan, 1976-1979, Fidei Donum priest in Dubai, UAE (United Arab Union) where, along with Bishop Gremoli, OFM Cap., he served the different Christian communities in different languages for three years, 1979-1981, vicar in the parish of Christ the King, in Misdar, Amman, 1981-1988, pastor in Madaba, Jordan,
He studied in Rome from 1988 to 1992, earning a doctorate in pastoral theology and catechesis at the Pontifical Lateran University with a thesis: “The Catechesis of Adult in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.” He was appointed Director General of the Latin Patriarchate Schools (1992-1994) upon his return to Jerusalem.
He was Rector of the Patriarchatel Seminary of Beit Jala from 1994 until his appointment as Bishop of Tunis, on September 8, 2005. He taught Catechesis and Pastoral Theology at the Seminary of Beit Jala, at the Salesian seminary of Cremisan and at the seminary of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem. He was appointed Archbishop of Tunis in 2010.
He was Rector of the Patriarchatel Seminary of Beit Jala from 1994 until his appointment as Bishop of Tunis, on September 8, 2005. He taught Catechesis and Pastoral Theology at the Seminary of Beit Jala, at the Salesian seminary of Cremisan and at the seminary of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem. He was appointed Archbishop of Tunis in 2010.
Bishop Lahham published four pastoral letters: 1. One year later (Tunis 2006) 2. The role of the laity in the Church (Tunis 2008) 3. The Word of God (Tunis 2009) 4. “Behold, I make all things new” … (Tunis 2011)
He wrote and translated books and articles and held several conferences on : adult catechesis, Christian spirituality, peace in the Holy Land, the significance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, interreligious dialogue, Lectio Divina, sacraments, Christian anthropology, history of the Latin Patriarchate ….
Besides Arabic, Bishop Lahham fluently speaks French, English and Italian.
Besides Arabic, Bishop Lahham fluently speaks French, English and Italian.
