Curriculum Vitae of Mgr. Selim Jean Sfeir Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
Biography
H.E. Monsignor Selim Jean Sfeir, was born in Rayfoun (Kesrwan – Lebanon) on the 02nd of September 1958.He was ordained a priest on the22nd May 1988at the Church of Saint Rock - Rayfoun and thenChorbishopon the 11th November 2020 at the Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul ( The Episcopal See ), Achkout.
He entered Ghazir Seminary in 1974 and obtained a Bachelor degree in Theology at the Pontifical College of Theology in Kaslik. In 2001 he received a Doctorate Degree in Canon and Civil Law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and the year after a MA Degree in Eastern Ecclesiastic Law from the Pontifical Oriental College.
He also holds a diploma in the Study of the Causes of Saints, Relatum in acta 46/X, of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints (1999).
He speaks Arabic, French, Italian, English and Greek and is the author of many books and articles - juridical Articles, especially on the Personal Doctrine of the Maronite Church, some printed at the Pontifical Oriental Faculty, and others in official prints.
Starting in 2003, theArchbishop has a long experience in pastoral and judicial activities and responsibilities in the Ecclesiastic Court of Sarba and the Archdiocese of Cyprus.
On a pastoral level, he was the Episcopal Representative for the Apostolic Movements and Pastoral Organisations in the Vicariate of Sarba (Kesrwan) as well as responsible for the organisation of pastoral councils and commissions.
He served a:
- Vicar at the Saint Georges Cathedral Parish Sarba ( Kesrwan ) ( 1988 – 1991 ).
- Priest at the Saint Georges Cathedral Parish Sarba / Kesrwan ( 1991 – 1995 ).
- Priest at Saint – Joseph Parish/ Larnaka (Cyprus) ( 2007 – 2008 ).
- Vicar at Our Lady of Graces Cathedral - Nicosia/ Cyprus ( 2007 – 2008 ).
- Parish Priest at Notre Dame des Secours( Zouk Mkayel /Kesrwan ) ( 2009 – 2014 ).
- Parish Priest at Saint Georges ( Kormakiti /Cyprus) ( 2014 – 2017 ).
- Parish Priest of the Saint Cross( Karpacha /Cyprus ) ( 2014 – 2017 ).
- Parish Priest at Saint Michel (Asomatos / Cyprus ) ( 2014 – 2017 ).
- Parish Priest at Saint – John the Baptist (Achkout/Kesrwan) (2017 – 2020).
- Secretary General of the Maronite Archdiocese of Cyprus ( 2007 – 2008 ).
He was the Chaplain and representative of the Bishop for the Community of the Guardian Angel, Messengers of Love. He was member of the Presbyteral Council and the Council of Advisors in the Vicariate of Sarba (Kesrwan) and in the Maronite Diocese of Cyprus until 2021. He also acted as an Episcopal Procurator for the cause of the Sanctification of the Blessed: Francis, Abelmouti and Raphael Massabki (2002 – 2021).
He has dedicated himself in the Diocese of Cyprus to the service of the Word of God in the pastoral field, serving as Chaplain and Parish Priest at the Church of Saint Joseph in Larnaca, Vicar at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Graces in Nicosia and the Maronite Villages of the North (Cathedral of Saint George in Kormakitis, Church of the Archangel Michael in Asomatos and Church of the Holy Cross in Karpasha). He was also appointed General Secretary of the Maronite Archeparchy of Cyprus (2007 – 2008).
On the 3rd October 2020 he was appointed Patriarcal Administrator for the Maronite Diocese of Cyprus.SinceJune 2021 he is a Bishop Member of COMECE and appointed Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus.
In November 2022, the Holy Father has granted the title of Lawyer of the Roman Rota to Archbishop Selim Jean Sfeir of Cyprus of the Maronites.