Synod of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church issues its final statement from Rome
Amman3 min read
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The Synod of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Church issued its final statement following its meetings held in Rome from October 6 to 9, 2026, presided over by His Beatitude Patriarch Youssef, affirming its commitment to the issues of the suffering people and calling for the realization of justice, freedom, and peace.
The final statement read: "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters [...] so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us" (Psalm 123:1-2).
The statement noted that the shepherds of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Church gathered, with eyes radiating hope and hearts filled with love, in their Holy Synod held this year in Rome, beside the tomb of Saint Peter, the head of the Apostles, carrying on their shoulders and in their consciences the hopes and pains of their people.
The Synod fathers concluded their meetings with a first official visit to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, October 10, 2026. During the visit, His Beatitude the Patriarch delivered a speech before His Holiness, outlining the Church's aspirations and the challenges ahead. The fathers then listened to the paternal words of His Holiness, who highlighted the roots of the Antiochian Church, pointing to its vocation and mission in achieving reconciliation and peace among peoples, and encouraging the Synod fathers to move forward in their service and witness to the Gospel.
At the opening of the Synod, a spiritual retreat was held, during which His Excellency Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, Patriarchal Vicar in Egypt and Sudan, gave a talk on "Preaching, Service, and Communion."
On the second day of the Synod, His Beatitude and the bishops received His Eminence Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, in a working and study session that addressed ecclesiastical affairs.
Regarding the topics discussed during the Synod, the fathers addressed legal, theological, and pastoral matters concerning dioceses within and outside the patriarchal territory.
The fathers paused at length to reflect on the momentous event the Church had eagerly awaited: the declaration of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, the Salvatorian, as Blessed. The fathers saw in this event a call to the clergy and the faithful to renew their spiritual lives and walk forward on the path of holiness, following the example of Blessed Father Bechara.
The fathers also elected His Excellency Bishop Georges (Edouard) Daher, Archbishop of Tripoli and all the North, as Archbishop of the Eparchy of Petra and Philadelphia and all of East Jordan.
On public affairs, the fathers discussed the difficult conditions being experienced by countries in the Middle East and their negative repercussions on living, social, and economic life. They emphasized their ongoing commitment to the issues and needs of their parishioners by striving tirelessly to help people to the best of their ability, praising the contribution of dioceses abroad in extending a helping hand.
The fathers expressed their hope that this crisis would end in the near future and that countries would regain their peace and stability, reaffirming their commitment to stand by their suffering and wounded people.
The fathers also hoped that attacks of various forms against innocent people of all affiliations would cease, and they called for the realization of justice, freedom, and peace.
