Vatican Radio announced the appointment today. Bishop-elect Shomali will be assisting Archbishop Fouad Twal, the Latin patriarch.
William Shomali was born in Beit Sahour, Palestine, in 1950 and ordained a priest in Jerusalem in 1972. He served for eight years in parishes in Jordan, then for 19 years as a professor and later rector of the Jerusalem seminary. He then served seven years as general administrator of the patriarchate. Last year, he was named chancellor.
He earned his doctorate in liturgical studies from the Pontifical University of St. Anselm in Rome and continues to teach the same subject at the seminary. He also has a degree in English Literature from the University of Yarmouk in Jordan.
The bishop-elect said he is «moved by the confidence shown to me by the Holy Father, my patriarch and the priests of my diocese.»
He affirmed his promise «to be a faithful servant of Christ and of my people, to work with all my strength to sustain the faith and hope of believers, to strengthen ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and to work for peace and reconciliation in this Holy Land, torn by divisions.» The date and place of the episcopal consecration has yet to be determined.
