Election of archbishop of Antélias of the Maronites, Lebanon

The Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Antioch of the Maronites has elected the Reverend Antoine Farès Bounajem as archbishop of Antélias of the Maronites, Lebanon, with the assent of the Holy Father.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Antoine Farès Bounajem was born on 10 August 1967 in Harharaya-Kattine, archeparchy of Antélias. After his primary and secondary school education at the Saint George College of Zalka and in the minor seminary of Ghazir, he carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik in 1992.

He was awarded a licentiate in theology, with a catechetical-pastoral focus, at the Institut Catholique de Paris in 1999.

He was ordained a priest on 10 July 1994 for the archeparchy of Antélias.

Since ordination he has held various pastoral roles. Until now he has served as parish priest, episcopal vicar for pastoral care and youth catechesis, and chaplain of the Scouts and various prayer and formation groups.

Besides Arabic, he speaks French, Italian and English.