Monsignor William Shomali has been appointed bishop, today, 31st March 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI.
The parish of Beit Sahur can be proud of its son, His Excellency Mons. William Shomali, who was born here in 1950 and grew up very near to the Shepherds’ Field. In 1961, he went to the Juvenile Seminary of Beit Jalla.
Ordained a priest in 1972 by the Patriarch Beltritti, he was first of all Vicar in Jordan (in Zarqa), and then became the parish priest of Shatana, also in Jordan. It was here that Mons. Shomali, studying at the university, took a degree in English literature, as well as being – since his time at the seminary - perfectly fluent in French.
In 1980, Mons. Shomali returned to Beit Jalla as a teacher in the Senior Seminary and Director of the Junior Seminary. He then left the country again to go and study liturgy in Rome, where he took his doctorate in 1989, before returning home again.
Appointed rector of the Seminary in 2005 by the Patriarch Sabbah, he left this position when Patriarch Twal appointed him Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate last summer.
The announcement of his appointment was made by Radio Vatican and, until the date and the place of his consecration are fixed, we extend our very best wishes to Mons. William Shomali for this new service in the Church of the Holy Land.
Mab
The parish of Beit Sahur can be proud of its son, His Excellency Mons. William Shomali, who was born here in 1950 and grew up very near to the Shepherds’ Field. In 1961, he went to the Juvenile Seminary of Beit Jalla.
Ordained a priest in 1972 by the Patriarch Beltritti, he was first of all Vicar in Jordan (in Zarqa), and then became the parish priest of Shatana, also in Jordan. It was here that Mons. Shomali, studying at the university, took a degree in English literature, as well as being – since his time at the seminary - perfectly fluent in French.
In 1980, Mons. Shomali returned to Beit Jalla as a teacher in the Senior Seminary and Director of the Junior Seminary. He then left the country again to go and study liturgy in Rome, where he took his doctorate in 1989, before returning home again.
Appointed rector of the Seminary in 2005 by the Patriarch Sabbah, he left this position when Patriarch Twal appointed him Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate last summer.
The announcement of his appointment was made by Radio Vatican and, until the date and the place of his consecration are fixed, we extend our very best wishes to Mons. William Shomali for this new service in the Church of the Holy Land.
Mab