The Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Antioch of the Maronites accepted the renunciation to the pastoral government of the Arch-Eparchy of Tripoli of the Maronites, Lebanon, tendered by H.E. Georges Bou-Jaoude, C.M., Lazarist, announced the Vatican on Sunday, November 1, 2020.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, with the consent of the Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Church and after informing the Apostolic See, transferred H.E. Youssef Antoine Soueif of the Arch-Patriarchal See of Cyprus of the Maronites to that of Tripoli of the Maronites (Lebanon).
S.E.R. Youssef Antoine Soueif was born on July 14, 1962, in the Eparchy Batroun of the Maronites (Lebanon). After attending the small Seminary of Ghazir, he was admitted to the grand local Seminary, pending studies in Philosophy and Theology at the University of the Holy Spirit of Kaslik.
He was ordained priest on September 3, 1987 for the Arch-Eparchy of Tripoli of the Maronites, and continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, receiving a Doctorate in Liturgy.
During his years of ministry as priest, he held the following posts: Vice-Parish Priest of Tchekka, Animator of Missionary Activities, parish priest of Saint Maron at Tripoli, Protosyncelle (name of Vicars and Bishops of the Patriarchate, ndlr) and Vice-President of the Patriarchal Commission for the Liturgy, Syncelle for pastoral care and for the implementation of Syndoal Acts. He was also President of the League of the Clergy in Lebanon.
He taught Liturgy at the Universities of Kaslik and La Sagesse. He is the author of several works on liturgy, spirituality and pastoral care.
Published on October 29, 2008 was his election as Archbishop of Cyprus of the Maronites. He received episcopal consecration on December 6 of the same year.
On October 11, 2018, he was appointed Apostolic Visitor of the Maronite faithful residing in Greece. He was also Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis.
In addition to Arabic, he speaks French, English and Italian and understands Syriac and modern Greek.
With Anita Bourdin
