Makhoul Farha

Contents

Makhoul Farha OCD (born 28 December 1959) is a Lebanese Melkite Catholic hierarch, who has served as the Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Baalbek since 2025.

Early life and education

Farha was born on 28 December 1959 in Ras Baalbek, a town in the Beqaa Governorate of Lebanon.[1][2][3] Feeling a religious vocation, he entered the religious order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD) in 1974. He made his simple vows on 15 August 1975 and his solemn profession on 15 August 1983.[1][2][4]

After he completed his philosophical and theological studies, Farha was ordained a priest on 14 July 1984. Later he obtained a licentiate in a canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome in 1988.[1][2]

Priestly ministry

Following his ordination, Farha served in a variety of pastoral, educational, and administrative roles within his religious order, splitting his time primarily between Lebanon and Egypt. During his early ministry, he dedicated himself to formation as the master of postulants and novices, helping guide new vocations into the Carmelite order.[1] He later transitioned into educational leadership, serving as the Director of the Carmelite School in Tripoli, Lebanon.[3]

Farha's ministry eventually expanded into Egypt, where he was appointed Superior of the Carmelite community in Alexandria.[5] He took on broader administrative responsibilities for the region as a counselor and Provincial Vicar of the Carmelite Delegation.[1] In June 2021, he was named General Delegate (Provincial Superior) of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Egypt.[6] In this leadership capacity, he managed the order's network of schools, parishes, and spiritual centers, while actively working to strengthen local ecumenical ties and elevate educational standards across their institutions.[5]

Episcopate

The Synod of Bishops of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church elected Farha to succeed the retiring Archbishop Elias Rahal as the Archbishop of Baalbek. Following the assent of Pope Leo XIV, the election was officially announced by the Holy See on 16 July 2025.[1][4] He was consecrated as a bishop on 24 August 2025 at the Basilica of Saint Paul in Harissa-Daraoun by Patriarch Youssef Absi.[2]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5][1.6]"Resignations and Appointments, 16.07.2025". press.vatican.va. Holy See Press Office. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4]"Archbishop Makhoul Farha, O.C.D." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  3. 3.[3.2]"راعي جديد لأبرشيّة بعلبك الملكيّة... مَن هو مخول فرحا؟" [A new shepherd for the Melkite Diocese of Baalbek... Who is Makhoul Farha?]. ACI Mena (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  4. 4.[4.2]"Frei Makhoul Farha: O nosso irmão carmelita descalço foi eleito Bispo da Eparquia de Baalbek da Igreja Grega Melquita" [Friar Makhoul Farha: Our discalced carmelite brother was elected Bishop of the Eparchy of Baalbek of the Melkite Greek Church]. carmelitas.pt (in Portuguese). 17 July 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  5. 5.[5.2]"السينودس البطريركي لكنيسة الروم الكاثوليك ينتخب الأب مخول فرحا الكرملي مطرانًا لأبرشية بعلبك" [The Patriarchal Synod of the Greek Catholic Church elects Father Makhoul Farha the Carmelite as Bishop of the Diocese of Diocese of Baalbek]. Catholic-eg.com (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  6. 6."الأب مخول فرحا مفوضا عاما لرهبانية الكرمليين الحفاة في مصر" [Father Makhoul Farha, General Delegate for the Discalced Carmelite Order in Egypt]. Noursat (in Arabic). 10 June 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.