A ceremony was held to officially transfer the responsibility of overseeing Caritas Lebanon from Bishop Antoine Bou Najem to Bishop Paul Abdel Sater. The event, attended by Father Claude Nadra, Secretary General of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon, and other members of the Caritas Lebanon Board, marked a significant moment in the organization’s leadership transition.
The ceremony opened with a prayer, followed by a speech from Father Claude Nadra. He presented the articles of the Caritas Lebanon charter, outlining the role and responsibilities of the supervising bishop. Additionally, he read a message from Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Raï, formally appointing Bishop Paul Abdel Sater as the new supervisor of Caritas Lebanon.
Bishop Antoine Bou Najem expressed heartfelt gratitude for his time overseeing Caritas, reflecting on the enriching experience it had been. He noted that the role allowed him to serve those in need while reinforcing the values of love and solidarity. Despite the challenges of managing such responsibilities, particularly in light of his broader duties as bishop, he celebrated the progress made during his tenure, including Caritas’ collaboration with international auditing firms to enhance transparency and its successful implementation of significant programs.
Bishop Paul Abdel Sater, in turn, thanked Bishop Bou Najem for his leadership and dedication, and promised to continue advancing Caritas Lebanon’s mission. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, he highlighted the deep blessings and noble purpose of the work, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving the organization’s goals.
Father Michel Abboud also expressed his gratitude to Bishop Bou Najem and warmly welcomed Bishop Abdel Sater. He reaffirmed Caritas’ ongoing commitment to its mission, focused on faith and service to humanity across Lebanon.
Dr. Nicolas Al Hajjar, Vice President of the Caritas Board, spoke about the crucial role of the bishop as both a spiritual guide and a leader. He emphasized that Caritas is not only an administrative entity but a nurturing presence for its community. Dr. Al Hajjar also praised the efforts to balance aid between Lebanese citizens and refugees, improve transparency, and safeguard financial integrity.