Transferral of H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara to the archieparchy of Petra and Philadelphia of the Greek-Melkites, Jordan

Transferral of the auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate of the United States of America to the diocese of Rockville Centre (U.S.A.)

Transferral of H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara to the archieparchy of Petra and Philadelphia of the Greek-Melkites, Jordan

The Holy Father has authorized the transferral, requested by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Greek-Melkite Church, of H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara of the eparchy of Nossa Senhora do Paraíso em São Paulo of the Greek-Melkites to the archieparchy of Petra and Philadelphia (Jordan) of the Greek-Melkites, elevating him to the dignity of archbishop.

H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara

H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara was born in Amatour, Chouf on 10 June 1965. After his institutional studies he obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Saint Paul of Harissa Theological Institute (1995) a master’s degree in theology from the Institut Catholique of Paris (1998), a diploma of further education (DEA) in patristics (2000) and a doctorate in history of religions and religious anthropology (2003) from the Sorbonne University of Paris.

He was ordained a priest for the archieparchy of Beirut and Jbeil of the Greek-Melkites on 10 July 1993. After his pastoral service in the church of Saint Elie of Dekwaneh (1992-1995), during his specialist studies in Paris he collaborated in the parishes of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre (1996-1998) and Notre-Dame des Champs in Montparnasse (1998-2003). After returning to Lebanon in 2003, he was appointed as parish priest of the Church of Notre-Dame de la Délivrance of Hadath. He was dean of the third circumscription of the archieparchy of Beirut (2006-2011).

He was a lecturer in various academic institutions (Saint Paul of Harissa Theological Institute, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Saint Esprit University of Kaslik, Université Antonine in Baabda), and director of the institute of Islamic-Christian Studies at the Saint Joseph University).

He was appointed as coadjutor bishop of the eparchy on 31 October 2013, and was consecrated the following 21 December.

On 21 July 2014, after the Holy Father Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the eparchy of Nossa Senhora do Paraíso em São Paulo, Brazil, presented by H.E. Msgr. Farès Maakaroun, M.S.P., H.E. Msgr. Joseph Gébara assumed the pastoral care of the eparchy.

Transferral of the auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate of the United States of America to the diocese of Rockville Center (U.S.A.)

The Pope has transferred H.E. Msgr. Robert J. Coyle, titular bishop of Zabi, from the office of auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate of the United States of America to that of Auxiliary of the diocese of Rockville Center (U.S.A.).

H.E. Msgr. Robert J. Coyle

H.E. Msgr. Robert J. Coyle was born on 23 September 1964 in Brooklyn, New York, in the diocese of the same name. He attended the “Saint Edward the Confessor Elementary School” in Syosset (1978) and the “Saint Mary’s Boys High School” in Manhasset (1982). He obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from Fordham University in the Bronx (1986). He completed his ecclesiastical studies at the “Immaculate Conception” Seminary in Huntington (1991), earning the title of Master of Divinity and of Master of Arts in theology.

He was ordained for the diocese of Rockville Center on 25 May 1991.

He has held the following offices in the diocese: parish vicar of the “Saint Dominic” parish in Oyster Bay (1991-1996) and “Saint Patrick” parish in Glen Cove (1996-1999), and parish priest of the “Corpus Christi” parish in Mineola (2009-2013).

He later became military chaplain in the U.S. Navy in active service (1999-2009). As such, he served for the 3rd Marine Division at Naha Air Base in Okinawa, Japan (1999-2000), on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier (2000-2003), at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy  at Kings Point in New York (2003-2007) and on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier (2007-2009). Upon reaching the rank of Commander, he continued as reserve chaplain until 2013.

In 2008 he was appointed chaplain of His Holiness.

Appointed titular bishop of Zabi and auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate on 11 February 2013, he received episcopal consecration on the following 25 April.

For the archdiocese of the Military Order of the United States, he has served as episcopal vicar for the Eastern Region of the United States.