Archbishop Youssef Abedallah Matta leads the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth, and All Galilee. Born in Nazareth in 1968, he is a son of the Holy Land who now serves as shepherd to nearly 74,000 faithful.
Biography
Formation
Archbishop Youssef Matta was born on December 3, 1968, in Nazareth, Israel. After initial studies in computer science at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa (1991–1992), he entered the Latin Diocesan Seminary in Beit Jala, where he completed his seminary formation between 1992 and 1998.
Priesthood
He was ordained a priest on June 19, 1999, for the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Akka. He served as private secretary to Archbishop Pierre Mouallem from 1990 to 2003.
Advanced Studies
He earned a doctorate in Eastern canon law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome (2004–2007).
Episcopal Ministry
The Synod of Bishops elected him Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth, and All Galilee during its meeting in Raboueh, Lebanon, November 5–9, 2018. Pope Francis confirmed the election on March 18, 2019. He was consecrated a bishop on June 1, 2019.
Previous Archbishops
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archbishop Pierre Mouallem | 1998–2003 | Resigned upon reaching canonical age |
| Archbishop Elias Chacour | 2006–2014 | Author of Blood Brothers, three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, founder of schools in Ibillin open to all faiths, winner of the Niwano Peace Award |