www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Maronite Patriarchal Election "Within Ten Days"

Bishop John Chedid (87) and Bishop Stephen Doueihi (83) are in fact the retired bishops of the Western and Eastern U.S. eparchies of the Maronite Church.

Yes, those are among the names that have been proffered. As I've heard, there are actually 3 "favorites" and 2 notable longshots. Personally, I don't care much for "favorites" and this is no exception. Even at the racetrack, I tend to prefer the longshots.


There's one "rival candidate" who could be that "fierce" competitor. One of our greatest recent Patriarchs (the late, beloved, Moran Mor Antonious Petrous Arida) was just such a compromise candidate. Dare I hope history repeats itself?

It has reached my ears that two names, and two names only, are in consideration: Boulos Matar, Bishop of Beirut, and Mansour Hobeika, Bishop of Zahle. The decision will be made (deliberately) by the end of Sunday at the latest, if not by tomorrow's end.

I can only hope and pray that report is not correct.

While the conclave was originally anticipated to last only through Sunday, 13 MAR, the latest I heard (effectively as the doors of Bkerke were closed and external communications curtailed) was that the bishops' schedules were now to be cleared through the 23rd.

And I join you in those prayers, though as for hope...I don't dare trust it.


I haven't heard this though that means nothing. I do know many of the diasporic bishops have tickets booked for return to their home countries on Monday, the 14th (ironically).

Question for same Maronite on this forum. I'm writing the articles about Maronite patriachs on Wiki, and I would like to know some detailed good reference for the 16th and 17th century (I already have the Dib).
Also about Patriarch Hobaish, who consecrated him bishop in 1820?

Thanks

Prayers that the Maronite Synod be guided by the Holy Spirit in its deliberations.

So far, no news [whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com], it seems, from Bkerké [bkerke.org.lb].

At this impasse, I do not know what to believe. I am hearing so many opinions/rumors/sources that, like most things Lebanese, no one seems to be assure---let alone cognizant---of what is going on (which, admittedly, is the point).

Prayers, indeed.

The name of the elected one will made known immediately or after the papal confirmation? How long the papal confirmation can take?

There is no need for papal confirmation of the election of a Patriarch of an Eastern Catholic Church.

Once legitimately elected, the Synod of Bishops can immediately proclaim him elected and then enthroned.

Within a reasonable period of time, the Synod informs the Pope by offical letter of the Patriarch's legitimate election and enthronement. At the same period of time, the Patriarch, in his own official letter, sends a request to the Pope for ecclesiastical communion.

Amado

The divisions are similar in some ways to those in 1932. To repeat what I said earlier, dare I hope that a similar compromise candidate will emerge this time around? Well, hope springs eternal, as the saying goes, but in any case, that's where my fervent prayers are.

BTW, who was the last Catholic patriarch to be elected, other than Benedict, and what year was that?

The Syrian Patriarch Ignace Joseph Younan, elected on Jan 20, 2009, confirmed on Jan 22, 2009

Breaking news:

Mar Bishara Rai, Bishop of Jebail, has been elected the 77th Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East!

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/19/Derni%C3%A8res_Infos-liban.html

Come in peace, good shepherd and wise leader!