Pope Accepts Resignation Of Maronite Eparch In Los Angeles, Names Cathedral Rector As New Eparch

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has acceptedthe resignation of Bishop Robert Shaheen, 76, eparch of the Maronite Eparchy ofOur Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, from the pastoral governance of theeparchy. He has named Father Abdallah Zaidan, 50, rector of Our Lady of Mt.Lebanon-St. Peter Maronite Cathedral in Los Angeles to succeed him. Bishop-electZaidan is also a member of the Maronite Lebanon Missionaries.

Theresignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, July 10, by Msgr.Jean-François Lantheaume, chargé d'affairesat the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States.

AbdallahZaidan was born March 10, 1963, in Kassaibe, Lebanon. He was ordained a priestin 1986. He professed final vows as a Maronite Lebanese Missionaries in 1984.

Bishop–elect Zaidan received alicense in theology from Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon, in 1986,and a license in philosophy in 1987. He holds a master's degree in schooladministration from St. John's University, and pursued doctoral studies ineducation at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

After ordination, Bishop-elect Zaidan'sassignments included assistant rector of the minor seminary of the MaroniteMissionaries, 1986-1988. At the same time he was chaplain of the Lay ApostolicMarianist Movement and Young Catholic Students. From 1988-1990 he was assistantrector of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn, N.Y. From 1990-1994, he was pastor,St. George Maronite Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, and helped establishMaronite Missions in Dallas and Houston. Since 1994, he has been rector of the MaroniteCathedral in Los Angeles.

TheEparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles includes about 43,000 Catholicsin 34 of the United States.

# # # # #