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Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis

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Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis
Apostolic Nuncio to United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula
Titular Archbishop of Rusellae
Appointed3 January 2023
PredecessorFrancisco Montecillo Padilla
Other post(s)Titular Archbishop of Rusellae
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination21 May 1994
by Khalil Abi-Nader
Consecration19 January 2019
by Pietro Parolin, Dominique Mamberti and Paul Youssef Matar
Personal details
Born (1968-08-24) 24 August 1968 (age 56)
NationalityLebanese
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
MottoScis Domine, quia amo te
Coat of armsChristophe Zakhia El-Kassis's coat of arms
Ordination history of
Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byArchbishop Khalil Abi-Nader
Date21 May 1994
PlaceMaronite Cathedral of Saint George, Beirut
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorCardinal Pietro Parolin
Co-consecratorsCardinal Dominique Mamberti
Archbishop Paul Youssef Matar
Date19 January 2019
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis as principal consecrator
Khalid Rehmat, O.F.M. Cap.2021
Yousaf Sohan, O.F.M. Cap.2023
Styles of
Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis (born 24 August 1968 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese Catholic bishop, diplomat, and Maronite archbishop.[1] He currently serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen along with being the Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.

Life

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El-Kassis graduated utroque iure, doctorate in both civil law and church law. He received the sacrament of Holy Orders on 21 May 1994. He is fluent in Lebanese, Arabic, French, Italian, English, Indonesian, Spanish, and German[2]

Diplomatic career

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He joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 19 June 2000, and has served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Indonesia, the Sudan and Turkey. From 2007 until 2018, he served at the Foreign Relations office of the Secretariat of State in the Holy See.

On 24 November 2018 Pope Francis appointed him as Titular Archbishop of Rusellae and named him Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan.[3] He received his episcopal consecration in St. Peter Basilica on 19 January 2019 from Cardinal Pietro Parolin as Principal Consecrator, who was accompanied by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti and Archbishop Paul Youssef Matar.[4]

On 3 January 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates. He is to be the first nuncio who will be a resident in the Nunciature in Abu Dhabi which was opened in February 2022.[5]

On 22 July 2024, Pope Francis also added the responsibilities of nuncio to Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis on catholic-hierarchy.org
  2. ^ Vatican press office Accessed 4 December 2018
  3. ^ Nomina del Nunzio Apostolico in Pakistan. In: Daily Bulletin. Press Office of the Holy See, 24 November 2018, retrieved on 24 November 2018 (Italian)
  4. ^ Catholic Hierarchy Accessed 26 January 2019
  5. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 03.01.2023". Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 22.07.2024". Retrieved 22 July 2024.
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Catholic Church titles
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan
24 November 2018 – 3 January 2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to United Arab Emirates
3 January 2023 to Present
Incumbent