LEADERSHIP
CLERGY & LEADERSHIP
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Bishop of Rome and the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. Born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, he was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, succeeding Pope Francis. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he is recognized for his extensive missionary work in Peru and his reputation as a "listening leader" focused on pastoral care and institutional peace.
Quick Facts
- Papal Name: Leo XIV
- Secular Name: Robert Francis Prevost
- Birth: September 14, 1955 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
- Election Date: May 8, 2025
- Motto: In illo Uno unum ("In the One, [we are] one")
- Religious Order: Augustinian (O.S.A.)
Maronite Patriarch
The current Maronite Patriarch is Bechara Boutros al-Rahi. He has served as the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East since his election on March 15, 2011. [1, 2, 3]
As the 77th successor of St. Maron, Cardinal al-Rahi is the spiritual leader of the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Holy See.
Key Information
- Full Title: His Beatitude Moran Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rahi.
- Cardinalate: He was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on November 24, 2012.
- Role in Lebanon: Beyond his religious duties, he is a central figure in Lebanese public life, frequently advocating for national unity, peace, and the rights of Christians in the Middle East.
- Recent Activity (2026): In early 2026, he issued a strong Lenten message and joined other regional patriarchs in condemning the escalation of conflict in Lebanon, calling for a "logic of law" over the "logic of force".
- Residence: He resides at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerké, Lebanon.
THE SAINT MARON’S EPARCHY
Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet is the Eparch of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron in Canada, ordained in 1986 and holding extensive academic qualifications in theology, philosophy, and school administration. Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, he previously held leadership roles in Lebanese Catholic education and coordinated the 2012 papal visit to Lebanon. Learn more about his biography on the Eparchy of Saint Maron Canada website.
BISHOP PAUL‑MARWAN TABET
Bishop Paul‑Marwan Tabet serves as Bishop of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron of Montreal, overseeing Maronite parishes and missions throughout Canada, including St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in London, Ontario.
Born in Lebanon, Bishop Tabet pursued advanced ecclesiastical formation in philosophy, theology, and Canon Law. His ministry has consistently emphasized
Born in Lebanon, Bishop Tabet pursued advanced ecclesiastical formation in philosophy, theology, and Canon Law. His ministry has consistently emphasized
preservation of Maronite identity
liturgical continuity
pastoral accessibility
clergy support
youth engagement
outreach to immigrant families
trengthening Eastern Catholic presence throughout Canada
In 2012, Bishop Tabet succeeded Bishop Joseph Khoury as Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy in Canada during an important period of growth and transition for the Canadian Maronite Church.
Under his episcopal leadership, the Eparchy has continued:
His episcopal ministry reflects the challenge and opportunity of preserving an ancient Eastern Christian tradition while engaging modern Canadian society with openness, scholarship, pastoral care, and continuity.
LEADERSHIP
Fr. Charbel Bousamra
Fr. Charbel Bousamra serves as Pastor and Administrator of St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in London, Ontario since September 2019.
Ordained within the Maronite Catholic Church, Fr. Charbel pursued advanced ecclesiastical studies in Rome, earning both a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law. His doctoral work focused on the Particular Law of the Maronite Church and reflected deep engagement with Eastern Catholic governance, ecclesiology, pastoral structure, theological continuity, and Maronite identity.
His published doctoral research explored the structure and canonical identity of the Maronite Church within the wider Catholic communion.
Before serving St. Elias, Fr. Charbel played an important role in the establishment and early development of Saint Charbel Maronite Catholic Church in Mississauga during a formative period of growth for the Canadian Maronite community.
Across his ministry, Fr. Charbel has combined:
• theological scholarship
• pastoral leadership
• youth engagement
• Catholic education
• bilingual ministry
• liturgical preservation
• faith formation
• community development His ministry reflects:
• fidelity to the Syriac‑Antiochian tradition
• commitment to pastoral care
• continuity with Maronite spirituality
• support for younger generations
• openness and hospitality
• preservation of sacred chant and liturgy
Under his leadership, St. Elias continues to grow as:
• a spiritual home
• a center of community life
• a place of formation and worship
• a gathering place for families
• a parish rooted in service, continuity, and hospitality
Ordained within the Maronite Catholic Church, Fr. Charbel pursued advanced ecclesiastical studies in Rome, earning both a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law. His doctoral work focused on the Particular Law of the Maronite Church and reflected deep engagement with Eastern Catholic governance, ecclesiology, pastoral structure, theological continuity, and Maronite identity.
His published doctoral research explored the structure and canonical identity of the Maronite Church within the wider Catholic communion.
Before serving St. Elias, Fr. Charbel played an important role in the establishment and early development of Saint Charbel Maronite Catholic Church in Mississauga during a formative period of growth for the Canadian Maronite community.
Across his ministry, Fr. Charbel has combined:
• theological scholarship
• pastoral leadership
• youth engagement
• Catholic education
• bilingual ministry
• liturgical preservation
• faith formation
• community development His ministry reflects:
• fidelity to the Syriac‑Antiochian tradition
• commitment to pastoral care
• continuity with Maronite spirituality
• support for younger generations
• openness and hospitality
• preservation of sacred chant and liturgy
Under his leadership, St. Elias continues to grow as:
• a spiritual home
• a center of community life
• a place of formation and worship
• a gathering place for families
• a parish rooted in service, continuity, and hospitality
Across his ministry, Fr. Charbel has combined:
theological scholarship
pastoral leadership
youth engagement
Catholic education
bilingual ministry
liturgical preservation
faith formation
community development
His ministry reflects:
fidelity to the Syriac‑Antiochian tradition
commitment to pastoral care
continuity with Maronite spirituality
support for younger generations
openness and hospitality
preservation of sacred chant and liturgy
Under his leadership, St. Elias continues to grow as:
