Bishop Gregory John Mansour of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn has been appointed chairman of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Board of Directors. Catholic Relief Services is the US bishops’ charity organization.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the appointment for the three-year term.
«We are grateful for Bishop Mansour in accepting the appointment of chairman of the board of CRS and in overseeing the important work they do throughout the globe to bring aid and hope to so many. Bishop Mansour’s long standing service in every area of the work of CRS is completed by his pastoral concern for the humanitarian efforts of CRS in the Middle East and on behalf of persecuted Christians,» said Cardinal DiNardo. «I also wish to express my gratitude for the tremendous contributions made by Archbishop Coakley for his tireless work as chairman of the CRS board over the past three years. His leadership, most particularly in those areas of assistance to those in regions of conflict and poverty, is deeply appreciated.»
Bishop Mansour thanked Cardinal DiNardo for entrusting him with the responsibility of his new appointment and also thanked Archbishop Coakley for his exemplary leadership.
«I am thankful to have had such a wonderful example of chairmanship in my predecessor, Archbishop Coakley. It is my honor and privilege to be appointed as chairman of the CRS board of directors,» said Bishop Mansour. «As a member of the CRS board, I’ve witnessed CRS’ tremendous work among the most vulnerable. I have seen firsthand the suffering of Christians and others violently forced from their homes in the Middle East. Witnessing their plight was difficult, but it is heartening to see the compassionate work that CRS continues to do in the midst of chaos.»
Dr. Carolyn Woo, PhD., CRS President and CEO, welcomes Bishop Mansour in his new role and also expressed heartfelt thanks for Archbishop Coakley’s leadership during the past three years. «It will be an honor to work with Bishop Mansour in his new capacity as chairman of the board as we continue to build upon past successes in serving the poor and the marginalized throughout the world. I would also like to express my unending gratitude to Archbishop Coakley who made wonderful contributions to our agency while also growing our mission and strategic vision for the future.»
In addition to leading the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, Bishop Mansour is also actively involved with promoting peace and justice in the Middle East. The Maronite Catholic Church is one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches in the world, with more than 3.3 million members. Bishop Mansour’s eparchy includes 45 Maronite churches, a seminary, a monastery, and a convent in 16 states in the eastern U.S. and the District of Columbia.
During the recent 2016 fall general assembly in Baltimore, the U.S. bishops elected two other bishops to serve on the CRS board of directors: Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida; and Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archbishop Coakley will also remain on as a board member.
Bishop William P. Callahan, OFM Conv., of La Crosse, Wisconsin and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida will be stepping down from the Board of Directors at the end of 2016 after completing their terms.
Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Founded in 1943 by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, now the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the agency provides assistance to 130 million people in more than 90 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
