Pastoral Assignments for Year 2026

Pastoral Assignments for Year 2026 

Prot. (1) 2132/2026 

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,  

As the pastoral year once again draws to a close, the time has come to announce certain changes and adjustments in the pastoral ministry of our priests and associates. 

As you may have noticed, in recent years we have sought to limit the number of changes, intervening only when necessary and in response to the various individual or communal situations. It is, in fact, important to preserve a degree of stability in our pastoral realities, especially in these politically and socially complex times. 

This year will see the succession of the current Chief Executive Officer of the Latin Patriarchate. After nearly ten years, Mr. Sami El-Yousef will retire and devote himself fully to his family. This marks an important transition for our General Administration, which—after passing through difficult times—has experienced significant growth. The administrative activities of the Diocese have almost doubled in recent years, and it has been necessary to accompany and support this growth with care and professionalism. Therefore, we express our public gratitude to Mr. Sami El-Yousef for the patience, dedication, and vision with which he has served our Church during this time. This is no easy task; among other things, it requires balancing the many (at times excessive) requests and needs of bishops, priests, and the faithful with the responsibility of maintaining sound financial governance. Despite the many crises we have collectively witnessed in recent years, from COVID-19 to war, we have nevertheless managed to carry out various pastoral activities, support schools, provide social and humanitarian services, maintain our facilities, acquire properties, and much more. In due course, we will formally express our gratitude to Mr. El-Yousef, whom we will continue to regard as an integral part of the Patriarchate. I am confident that he will continue to assist and accompany us in various ways in future initiatives of our diocesan pastoral life. 

Following a careful and extended evaluation by the College of Consultors and the Council for Economic Affairs, as required by the Code of Canon Law, a new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed. This will be Mr. Johnny Zeidan, whom we will introduce more fully in due course and who, I am certain, will build upon what has been accomplished thus far. We thank him for the trust he has placed in our Diocese by accepting a responsibility that is not easy, either professionally or personally. He will begin his service at the start of our Administration’s fiscal year. 

There has also been a change in the Patriarchate’s Endowment Department. Attorney Zaki Sahlieh will devote himself full-time to his legal practice, but he will likewise continue to assist us as associate—a role in which we have greatly valued his contribution over the years. 

There are also other changes that will require time and preparation, including the appointment of a new Assistant for the Youth of Palestine. We are considering making this appointment at a later stage, on the Solemnity of Christ the King. In the meantime, the Deputy Assistant, Father George Haddad, will continue to accompany the youth. We will carefully discern the best way forward through dialogue and by listening to one another. 

We also want to thank Fr. Hanna Kildani for his valuable, wise and always appreciated service over these years. Although priests may leave active assignments, they never truly retire; they remain priests in the service of the Church. I am certain this will also be true for Fr. Hanna, whose active presence will continue to enrich the life of the Diocese. 

Finally, I would like to thank all the priests involved in these changes for their immediate willingness to obey and adapt. There remain a few situations that will require attention in the coming weeks, and some time will still be needed to address them properly. 

As is now customary, I ask that the priests begin their new assignments by August 15 of this year. Any exceptions to this date are to be agreed upon with the Regional Vicars. I also ask the Regional Vicars to be present for the handover ceremonies, as foreseen in our internal regulations. 

I wish each and every one of you a peaceful and fruitful time of rest. 

In Christ, 

+Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa 
 Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Given in Jerusalem on June 24, 2026,  
Solemnity of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist