Pope Leo XIV appoints Fr. Jean Abou Charouche as Apostolic Exarch for Greek-Melkite faithful in Argentina

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Jean Abou Charouche as the new Apostolic Exarch for the Greek-Melkite faithful in Argentina. This decision elevates him to the rank of bishop and assigns him the titular headquarters of Mira de los Greco-Melquitas. The Greek-Melkite Catholic Church, one of the 20 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome, preserves the Byzantine liturgical tradition and has a long history of monarchical governance, reflecting its name’s origin in Aramaic.

Father Abou Charouche, a priest of the Society of the Missionaries of Saint Paul, has served as the Apostolic Administrator of the same constituency since 2023. His appointment follows the resignation of Bishop Ibrahim Salaméh due to age. The Greek-Melkite Church, historically part of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, was definitively separated in 1724 and remains in communion with the Catholic Church, upholding the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon.

Born in 1972 in Chiyah, near Beirut, Lebanon, Father Abou Charouche entered the Minor Seminary of St. Paul in Harissa in 1985. He studied philosophy and theology there, professing his solemn vows in 1998. Ordained a priest the same year, he dedicated his pastoral ministry to the formation of future religious and priests. In 2015, he became the parish priest of the Cathedral of St. George in Córdoba, Argentina, where he has served the community.

As Apostolic Exarch, Father Abou Charouche will oversee the pastoral care of approximately 15,000 Greek-Melkite faithful in Argentina. His role includes guiding the spiritual and administrative needs of the community, which is centered at the Cathedral San Jorge del rito greco-melquita in Córdoba. The appointment underscores the Church’s commitment to maintaining its liturgical and doctrinal traditions while adapting to the needs of its diaspora.

The Vatican’s decision reflects a continuation of the Church’s efforts to ensure the pastoral care of its Eastern Catholic communities worldwide. The Greek-Melkite faithful in Argentina, like many others, rely on the leadership of their bishops and exarchs for guidance in both spiritual and temporal matters. This appointment ensures the continuity of the Church’s mission and service to its members in the region.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)