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February 13, 2018

Pope, Melkite patriarch formalize full communion with Rome

Pope Francis accepts gifts from Melkite Patriarch Joseph Absi during a meeting with the Melkite synod of bishops at the Vatican Feb. 12. The Melkite Church is an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with Rome.
VATICAN – Formalizing their unity in the intimate setting of the chapel of the papal residence, Pope Francis and Melkite Patriarch Joseph Absi concelebrated Mass together in the presence of members of the Melkite synod of bishops.
Published in International
October 12, 2017

Syrian priest builds new life away from war zone

Fr. Issa Maamar and his family — wife Rima Chahin and children Jean Pierre, 14, and Anna Marie, 6 — were forced to flee Syria in 2016 and have settled in Edmonton where Maamar leads the Greek-Melkite Church.
EDMONTON – Fr. Issa Maamar knows how it feels to sing the Ave Maria in Damascus while rockets are blowing up your children’s schools and your hometown.
Published in Features
February 27, 2017

Reconciliation marks Melkite bishops' synod after months of interruption

Several Melkite bishops boycotted the bishops' synod June 2016, demanding the resignation of Patriarch Gregoire III Laham, pictured at the Vatican in 2015.

BEIRUT – The Melkite Catholic Church resumed its Synod of Bishops after nearly an eight-month interruption.

Published in International