Fr. Jamal Khader named auxiliary bishop for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced on Friday, March 11, that His Holiness Pope Francis has designated two auxiliary bishops for Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, namely Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Fr. Jamal Khader and Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Nazareth Fr. Rafic Nahra.

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Vatican press reports have noted that Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Fr. Jamal Khader was born in Zababdeh, Palestine, in 1964. After completing his studies at the Latin Patriarchal Seminary in Beit Jala, he was ordained priest in 1988 and served at the Latin parish in Misdar, Amman. Then, he was named parish priest in Al Wahadneh, Ajloun Governorate, where he served for four years.

The report adds that in 1994, he was sent to complete his studies in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he received the degree of doctor in theology with a dissertation on dialogue between the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches. After his return from Rome, he served as a professor at the Latin Patriarchal Seminary, and in 2003 he served as the chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University,  and in 2008 he was named  dean of the Faculty of Art at Bethlehem University.

In 2013, he was named rector of the Latin Patriarchal Seminary in Beit Jala, and in 2017, he was named parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Ramallah. In 2019, he was named director of the Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine. On August 15, 2021, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa appointed him as Latin patriarchal vicar for Jordan.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem noted that "Fr. Jamal and Fr. Rafic, both born and raised here in the East, have exercised priestly ministry for many years and have now been called from the very bosom of the Mother Church to be successors of the Apostles with the mandate to teach, govern and sanctify the People of God." It is expected that their episcopal ordination will take place in the coming weeks.

In Jerusalem, Patriarch Pizzaballa said in the presence of Apostolic Nuncio in Jerusalm Archbishop Tito Yllana. "With gratitude and joy I announce to you that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated Fr. Jamal Deibes and Fr. Rafic Nahra as auxiliary bishops for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Strengthened by the fullness of priestly ministry both bishops-elect will continue their respective missions as patriarchal vicar for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and patriarchal vicar for Nazareth."

In Jordan, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader said that the Latin Church in Jordan is deep-rooted in history as it has spiritual, educational, and health institutions. Since the outset of the 20th century, the position of auxiliary bishop of the Patriarch in Jerusalem was initiated in Amman, as Bishop Jamal Khader continues the path of dedication in Jordan to the care and to the management of the parishes and institutions of the Latin Patriarchate, along with his brotherly priests, nuns and believers who work with him in the fields of administration, and openness, as well as in major and close cooperation with his brother bishops and heads of sisterly churches. In this regard, the Churches in Jordan sought to follow cooperation and partnership with official and national institutions in various areas. Fr. Bader conveyed well wishes to Fr. Jamal for acquiring the confidence of Pope Francis and naming for him as auxiliary bishop and Latin patriarchal vicar for beloved Jordan.