Jean-Marie Chami
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Jean-Marie Chami | |
|---|---|
| Titular Bishop of Tarsus of the Greek Melkites, Patriarchal Vicar of Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan | |
| Church | Melkite Greek Catholic Church |
| Installed | 25 June 2022 |
| Predecessor | Georges Bakar |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 8 December 1996 |
| Consecration | 3 September 2022 by Youssef Absi, Georges Bacouni and Robert Rabbat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 May 1962 |
| Residence | Cairo, Egypt |
Jean-Marie Chami, Ist. del Prado (born 14 May 1962) is a Lebanese-born Melkite Greek Catholic hierarch. He currently serves as the Titular Bishop of Tarsus of the Greek Melkites and the Patriarchal Vicar of Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan since 2022.
Biography
Jean-Marie Chami was born on 14 May 1962 in Beirut, Lebanon. He initially pursued secular studies, and after his high school studies with the Brothers of the Christian Schools, he studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Musicology and worked as an architect for a few years.[1]
After completing his philosophical and theological studies for the priesthood, he was ordained a priest for the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Beirut and Jbeil on 8 December 1996.[2][3]
Following his ordination, Chami combined traditional pastoral work with extensive social and community services. He served as a parish priest, and later bursar and syncellus of the Archeparchy of Beirut. Also worked as a school teacher, and became deeply involved in spiritual direction for youth movements, and engaging in particular in pastoral assistance to people with disabilities. Discerning a religious vocation, he joined the secular clerical Prado Institute in 2003 and also was elected superior for the Middle East priests of the Prado since 2019.[1][3]
Episcopal ministry
On 25 June 2022, Pope Francis assented to Chami's election by the Synod of Bishops of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church as the Titular Bishop of Tarsus of the Greek Melkites and Patriarchal Vicar of Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, succeeding Archbishop Georges Bakar.[3][4] He received his episcopal consecration on 3 September 2022 at the Basilica of St. Paul in Harissa from Patriarch Youssef Absi, with Archbishop Georges Bacouni and Bishop Robert Rabbat serving as co-consecrators.[2]
In his capacity as Patriarchal Vicar, Chami represents the Melkite Catholic community across Egypt and the Sudans, engaging in inter-faith dialogue, managing local parishes, and advocating for regional peace and humanitarian aid amid regional geopolitical conflicts.[5][6]
References
- ^ a b Lafontaine, Christophe (27 June 2022). "Un nouvel évêque, "atypique", pour les Melkites en Égypte". Terre Sainte Magazine (in French). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ a b "Bishop Jean-Marie Chami". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ a b c "Dalle Chiese Orientali, 25.06.2022". Holy See Press Office (in Italian). 25 June 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ "انتخاب قدس الأب جان ماري شامي مطراناً والنائب البطريركي العام في مصر والسودان وجنوب السودان للروم الملكيين الكاثوليك". Santa Maria in Cosmedin (in Arabic). Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ "His Eminence Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, Patriarchal Vicar General of the Melkite Catholic Church in Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, Guests the MECC Cairo Office". Middle East Council of Churches. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ "AFRICA/EGYPT - Greek Melkite Bishop Chami: Prayer and fasting for peace, and to drive out the "demons" that fuel wars". Agenzia Fides. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
External links
- Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, Ist. del Prado at Catholic-Hierarchy.org