Chorbishop Selim Sfeir was elected as archbishop of Cyprus of the Maronites on July 20, 2021.

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land sent him the following congratulatory message:

"You have been elected Archbishop for over a month, and in a few days, on July 29, through the imposition of hands of His Beatitude Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Raï, you will be made pastor of the Maronite Church in Cyprus. The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land rejoice in your election and are happy to welcome you as a brother.

"You already know Cyprus and Cyprus appreciates you. You began your pastoral service there as parish priest, then as judicial vicar and president of the court of the Maronite Archeparchy, and as Patriarchal Administrator since your predecessor has been transferred to Tripoli. Today the faithful welcome you as father and pastor, while we welcome you as an expert in Canon and civil law, which we will need.

"We already got to know each other virtually at the Assembly meeting on March 2-3, but we will be happy to meet you in person at the next plenary meeting which will take place in Nazareth on October 5-6, 2021, as part of the year dedicated to St. Joseph.

"On these days, we keep you in our prayers. And to testify to our fraternal closeness we say to you wholeheartedly: Alf Mabrouk.