Jacques Mourad, a well-known advocate of Muslim-Christian dialogue who was kidnapped by Islamic militants in 2015 and held for five months, has been consecrated Archbishop of the Syriac Catholic Diocese of Homs.
Archbishop Mourad was a monk of Mar Musa Monastery in Syria for many years before the kidnapping.
The 54-year-old was ordained on 3 March, in a ceremony attended by large crowds, several dozen priests, bishops and patriarchs of Catholic and Orthodox Churches in the region.
Speaking to Asia News, Mourad said that as archbishop he would use his experience of interreligious dialogue to inform his work. He would cultivate seeds that he had planted as a monk at Mar Musa, referring to seeds of “openness, hospitality, and prayer”.
He remains committed to Christian-Muslim dialogue: “We Syrian Christians have lived alongside Muslims for more than 1400 years and we have a history of living life in common with them.”
He felt that “as Christians we must stop a certain way of thinking, inspired by certain propaganda, according to which every Muslim is a terrorist”.
Mourad was elected Archbishop of Homs by the Synod of Bishops of the Church of Antioch. Pope Francis had already approved the choice.
The archbishop said that among his priorities would be “renewing the theological and biblical education” of priests and helping families to “live with dignity” at a time when the pressure of poverty is “unbearable.”
The diocese of Homs has suffered many years of war, violence, and economic instability. However, the archbishop remains optimistic, saying that “most” Christians in the area, predominantly farmers with “a deep bond with their land”, have remained.
He expressed gratitude for the priests of his diocese, “who are young and make a great contribution to the mission”, saying that they work together “with a spirit of synodality.”
He praised the “practical ecumenism” of the region, noting that Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants collaborate “beautifully”.
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