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<ref>Worcester Telegram & Gazette Archives</ref>{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = Bishop
| type = Bishop
| name = Archbishop Joseph Tawil - المطران يوسف الطويل
| name = Joseph Tawil
| title = Archbishop of Newton
| title = Archbishop of Newton
| image =
| image =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
⚫
| church = [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Melkite Greek Catholic]]
| caption =
⚫
| church = [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Melkite Greek Catholic]]
| archdiocese =
| archdiocese =
| diocese =
| diocese =
| see = [[Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton|Eparchy of Newton]]
| see = [[Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton|Eparchy of Newton]]
| term = March 15, 1970&mdash;December 12, 1989
| term = March 15, 1970&mdash;December 12, 1989
| predecessor = Bishop [[Justin Najmy]]
| predecessor = Bishop [[Justin Najmy]]
| successor = Bishop [[Ignatius Ghattas]]
| successor = Bishop [[Ignatius Ghattas]]
<!-- Orders -->
<!-- Orders -->| ordination = July 20, 1936
⚫
| ordinated_by =
| ordination = July 20, 1936
⚫
| consecration = January 1, 1960
⚫
| ordinated_by =
⚫
| consecration = January 1, 1960
| consecrated_by =
| consecrated_by =
| rank =
| rank = <!-- Personal details -->
⚫
| birth_date = December 25, 1913
<!-- Personal details -->
⚫
| birth_place = [[Damascus]], [[Syria]]
⚫
| birth_date = December 25, 1913
⚫
| death_date = February 17, 1999
⚫
| birth_place = [[Damascus]], [[Syria]]
⚫
| death_place = [[Newton, Massachusetts]], [[United States]]
⚫
| death_date = February 17, 1999
⚫
| death_place = [[Newton, Massachusetts]], [[United States]]
| previous_post = Patriarchal Vicar for the See of [[Damascus]]
| previous_post = Patriarchal Vicar for the See of [[Damascus]]
| honorific_prefix = His Excellency, The Most Reverend
}}
}}
⚫
[[Archbishop]] '''Joseph Tawil''' (December 25, 1913 - February 17, 1999) was the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Melkite Greek Catholic]] [[Eparchy of Newton|eparch for the United States]], teacher and theologian. He is remembered for his participation in the [[Second Vatican Council]], expanding the Melkite Church in the United States, and articulating the unique role of the Eastern Catholic Churches in his 1970 pastoral letter [[The Courage To Be Ourselves]].


⚫
'''Joseph Elias Tawil''' (December 25, 1913 – February 17, 1999) was a [[Syrians|Syrian]] prelate who served as [[Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton|Eparch of Newton]] in the [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]] from 1970 to 1989. He is remembered for his participation in the [[Second Vatican Council]], expanding the Melkite Church in the United States, and articulating the unique role of the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] in his 1970 pastoral letter, [[The Courage to Be Ourselves|''The Courage to Be Ourselves'']].
== Introduction ==
⚫
=== Early Life ===


⚫
== Early life ==
⚫
Joseph Elias Tawil was born in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]], the son of Elias and Malakie (Salman) Tawil.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=nwsvhw1wLgkC&pg=PA371&lpg=PA371&dq=Tawil+Courage+to+Be+Ourselves&source=web&ots=qP43gGl2qa&sig=ightvPaCCFLv2wiM-sQL1uK2Lck&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result |title=Archbishop Joseph Tawil |accessdate=2008-09-20 |author=Garrett, Paul D. |authorlink= |author2=Purpura, Kathleen A. |year=2007 |work=Frank Maria: A Search for Justice and Peace in the Middle East |publisher=AuthorHouse |pages=371 |isbn=1-4343-0000-5 |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> One of nine children in the family, he was raised in an observant Melkite family; his materinal uncles included Paul Salman, the Archbishop of [[Petra]] and all Jordan, and [[Archimandrite]] Clement Salman.<ref name="Samra11">{{cite book|title=The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil|editor=Nicholas Samra|publisher=Sophia Press|location=Boston|year=2009|pages=11}}</ref> He studied for the priesthood under the [[White Fathers]] in St. Anne's Seminary in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Archbishop Joseph E. Tawil, headed Melkite Greek Catholics in US; at 85|last=Long|first=Tom|date=February 23, 1999|work=The Boston Globe|pages=B5|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> He was ordained as priest on July 20, 1936 and assigned to the Patriarchal College (Al Madrassah Al Batryakiyah) in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]]. For seven years he was a teacher and later dean of the institution. In 1943 he became president/headmaster of the college. He was raised to the dignity of archimandrite by Patriarch [[Maximos IV Sayegh]] in 1952 and appointed Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria in 1954 with continued residence in Cairo as head of the college.<ref name="Samra12">{{cite book|title=The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil|editor=Nicholas Samra|publisher=Sophia Press|location=Boston|year=2009|pages=12}}</ref> Tawil continued to lead the Patriarchal College in Cairo until his appointment as Patriarchal Vicar of [[Damascus]] on August 29, 1959.


⚫
Joseph Elias Tawil was born in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]], the son of Elias and Malakie (Salman) Tawil.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwsvhw1wLgkC&q=Tawil+Courage+to+Be+Ourselves&pg=PA371 |title=Archbishop Joseph Tawil |access-date=2008-09-20 |author=Garrett, Paul D. |author2=Purpura, Kathleen A. |year=2007 |work=Frank Maria: A Search for Justice and Peace in the Middle East |publisher=AuthorHouse |pages=371 |isbn=978-1-4343-0000-3 }}</ref> One of nine children in the family, he was raised in an observant Melkite family; his maternal uncles included Paul Salman, the Archbishop of [[Petra]] and all Jordan, and [[Archimandrite]] Clement Salman.<ref name="Samra11">{{cite book|title=The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil|editor=Nicholas Samra|publisher=Sophia Press|location=Boston|year=2009|pages=11}}</ref> He studied for the priesthood under the [[White Fathers]] in St. Anne's Seminary in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Archbishop Joseph E. Tawil, headed Melkite Greek Catholics in US; at 85|last=Long|first=Tom|date=February 23, 1999|work=The Boston Globe|pages=B5}}</ref> He was ordained as priest on July 20, 1936 and assigned to the Patriarchal College (Al Madrassah Al Batryakiyah) in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]]. For seven years he was a teacher and later dean of the institution. In 1943 he became president/headmaster of the college. He was raised to the dignity of archimandrite by Patriarch [[Maximos IV Sayegh]] in 1952 and appointed Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria in 1954 with continued residence in Cairo as head of the college.<ref name="Samra12">{{cite book|title=The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil|editor=Nicholas Samra|publisher=Sophia Press|location=Boston|year=2009|pages=12}}</ref> Tawil continued to lead the Patriarchal College in Cairo until his appointment as Patriarchal Vicar of [[Damascus]] on August 29, 1959.
== Family who Immigrated to the United States ==
=== Carey Family ===
Tawil had exclusive times to the Carey Family, but commonly known as the Beruity family through out New England. The Beruitys are direct descendants of a family who's history is offer mixed up as to this day, it is unknown whether they could be Turkish or Syrian, the same problem has been found with Tawil's own family. Tawil, along with Barbara Carey's Great Grandmother immigrated directly from [[Beirut, Lebanon]], the location which they had been living for many years. The Beirutys left the manor and a total sum of 439,440 Ottoman Liras in Lebanon, where the property was later seized by the government. Following the Beirutys immigration, [[Hafez al-Assad]] who became dictator of [[Syria]] had banned the family from returning, a ban which remains to this day. The family had once known the great dictator very well until the family had released secrets to the [[Israeli]], [[Turkish]] and [[American]] governments. The family know is integrated with [[French]] and [[Arab]] ties alike. In 2002, the family had requested re-entry to take the left behind wealth via the [[United States Department of State]] although had been unsuccessful. Following the years of the [[Syrian Civil War]], the family has criticized the [[Assad]] administration. A poet from the family had once said <ref>Worcester Telegram & Gazette Archives</ref>

=== Kiriaki Family ===
The Kiriakis, unlike the Beirutys or Careys, had a much darker history. There, the family had moved from Morocco to the United States. It is told that the family had walked directly from Beirut to Tangiers, but it is widely disputed. The Kiriakis housed Tawil for weeks on end in Lebanon when he had grown very ill. Tawil had been known to be a traveling bishop, and had links to the outside world everywhere. The Kiriakis are closely related to the Careys, possibly being sixth cousins, and the Beirutys, fifth.


== Episcopate ==
== Episcopate ==
Line 45: Line 37:
Tawil was consecrated [[bishop]] in Damascus on January 1, 1960. While in this position he attended the [[Second Vatican Council]] where, as a representative of the Melkite Church, he worked with Patriarch Maximos IV to further understanding and cooperation between the Church of Rome and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. In November 1967 Patriarch Maximos IV was succeeded after his death by Archbishop Tawil's friend and predecessor in the Cairo Patriarchal College, Archbishop George Selim Hakim, a native Egyptian who took the name [[Maximos V Hakim|Maximos V]]. Archbishop Hakim had been the first Archbishop of Nazareth and all Galilee and had been the guide for Pope Paul VI on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the beginning of his reign.
Tawil was consecrated [[bishop]] in Damascus on January 1, 1960. While in this position he attended the [[Second Vatican Council]] where, as a representative of the Melkite Church, he worked with Patriarch Maximos IV to further understanding and cooperation between the Church of Rome and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. In November 1967 Patriarch Maximos IV was succeeded after his death by Archbishop Tawil's friend and predecessor in the Cairo Patriarchal College, Archbishop George Selim Hakim, a native Egyptian who took the name [[Maximos V Hakim|Maximos V]]. Archbishop Hakim had been the first Archbishop of Nazareth and all Galilee and had been the guide for Pope Paul VI on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the beginning of his reign.


On October 30, 1969, Archbishop Tawil was appointed Apostolic [[Exarch]] for the United States by [[Pope Paul VI]], and was installed on March 15, 1970. He succeeded Bishop [[Justin Najmy]], the first Melkite bishop in the United States. Bishop Najmy had died only two years after his installation, and thus the major task of welding an efficient diocese out of the existing parishes scattered over the country fell to Archbishop Tawil.
On October 30, 1969, Archbishop Tawil was appointed Apostolic [[Exarch]] for the United States by [[Pope Paul VI]], and was installed on March 15, 1970. He succeeded Bishop [[Justin Najmy]], the first Melkite bishop in the United States. Bishop Najmy had died only two years after his installation, and thus the major task of welding an efficient diocese out of the existing parishes scattered over the country fell to Archbishop Tawil.


Upon arriving in the United States Tawil was fluent in Arabic and French and proficient in Greek and Latin but did not speak English. He quickly learned English and published some of his most influential writings in the language of his new homeland.
Upon arriving in the United States Tawil was fluent in Arabic and French and proficient in Greek and Latin but did not speak English. He quickly learned English and published some of his most influential writings in the language of his new homeland.


=== The Courage To Be Ourselves ===
=== ''The Courage To Be Ourselves'' ===


{{main|The Courage To Be Ourselves}}
{{main|The Courage To Be Ourselves}}


One of Tawil's first actions was to write the pastoral letter "The Courage to be Ourselves" to strengthen his flock, many of whom were relatively newcomers in this country and surrounded by the far more numerous Latin Catholics. The document, delivered as a Christmas 1970 pastoral letter, reminds Eastern Catholics of their rich traditions and how the Catholic Church benefits from diversity. In it he stated:
One of Tawil's first actions was to write the pastoral letter ''The Courage to be Ourselves'' to strengthen his flock, many of whom were relatively newcomers in this country and surrounded by the far more numerous Latin Catholics. The document, delivered as a Christmas 1970 pastoral letter, reminds Eastern Catholics of their rich traditions and how the Catholic Church benefits from diversity. In it he stated:


{{cquote|The existence of Eastern Churches as part of the Catholic family, although they have distinct customs and traditions in all areas of Church life, dramatically shows that to be Catholic one does not have to conform to the Roman model. Indeed, the Roman Church, as the [Second Vatican] Council affirmed, has learned many lessons of late from the East in the fields of liturgy (use of the vernacular, Communion in both kinds, baptism by immersion), of Church order (collegiality, synodal government, the role of the deacon), and spirituality. In a very real sense, the Western Church ''needs'' a vibrant Eastern Church to complement its understanding of the Christian message. By our fidelity to maintaining our patrimony, by our refusal to be assimilated, the Eastern Churches render a most precious service to Rome in still another area of Church life. [[Liturgical latinisation|Latinizing]] this small number of Easterners would not be a gain for Rome; rather it would block - perhaps forever - a union of the separated Churches of the East and West. It would be easy then for Orthodoxy to see that union with Rome leads surely to ecclesiastical assimilation.}}
{{quote|The existence of Eastern Churches as part of the Catholic family, although they have distinct customs and traditions in all areas of Church life, dramatically shows that to be Catholic one does not have to conform to the Roman model. Indeed, the Roman Church, as the [Second Vatican] Council affirmed, has learned many lessons of late from the East in the fields of liturgy (use of the vernacular, Communion in both kinds, baptism by immersion), of Church order (collegiality, synodal government, the role of the deacon), and spirituality. In a very real sense, the Western Church ''needs'' a vibrant Eastern Church to complement its understanding of the Christian message. By our fidelity to maintaining our patrimony, by our refusal to be assimilated, the Eastern Churches render a most precious service to Rome in still another area of Church life. [[Liturgical latinisation|Latinizing]] this small number of Easterners would not be a gain for Rome; rather it would block - perhaps forever - a union of the separated Churches of the East and West. It would be easy then for Orthodoxy to see that union with Rome leads surely to ecclesiastical assimilation.}}


=== Development of the Eparchy of Newton ===
=== Development of the Eparchy of Newton ===


Tawil founded the diocesan publication "Sophia" and in 1971 established a diaconate training program, the first in an Eastern Catholic diocese in the United States. He also established a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Later he inaugurated a Diocesan Communications Office, the National Association of Melkite Youth, and a full-time Office of Educational Services.
Tawil founded the diocesan publication "Sophia" and in 1971 established a diaconate training program, the first in an Eastern Catholic diocese in the United States. He also established a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Later he inaugurated a Diocesan Communications Office, the National Association of Melkite Youth, and a full-time Office of Educational Services.


On June 28, 1976 Tawil was raised to archbishop. He was installed as eparch of Newton on February 14, 1977.<ref>{{cite web
On June 28, 1976 Tawil was raised to archbishop. He was installed as eparch of Newton on February 14, 1977.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Cheney
| last = Cheney
| first = David
| first = David
| authorlink =
| title = Archbishop Joseph Elias Tawil
| title = Archbishop Joseph Elias Tawil
| work = Catholic Hierarchy.com
| work = Catholic Hierarchy.com
| publisher =
| url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btawil.html
| url = http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btawil.html
| accessdate = 2008-02-23 }}</ref> During his tenure as eparch, Tawil founded eight new parishes and five missions. He ordained 26 new priests and 23 deacons. He also played a significant role in the founding a convent for women religious in Danbury, Connecticut.
| access-date = 2008-02-23 }}</ref> During his tenure as eparch, Tawil founded eight new parishes and five missions. He ordained 26 new priests and 23 deacons. He also played a significant role in the founding a convent for women religious in Danbury, Connecticut.


Upon reaching retirement age, Archbishop Tawil assumed emeritus status on December 12, 1989, but remained active in church affairs despite the onset of [[Parkinson's Disease]]. He was succeeded by Bishop [[Ignatius Ghattas]] as [[Eparchy of Newton|Eparch of Newton]]. Tawil died at [[Newton-Wellesley Hospital]] in Massachusetts on February 17, 1999.<ref>{{cite web
Upon reaching retirement age, Archbishop Tawil assumed emeritus status on December 12, 1989, but remained active in church affairs despite the onset of [[Parkinson's disease]]. He was succeeded by Bishop [[Ignatius Ghattas]] as [[Eparchy of Newton|Eparch of Newton]]. Tawil died at [[Newton-Wellesley Hospital]] in Massachusetts on February 17, 1999.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| title = Archbishop Joseph Tawil of West Newton, at 85
| title = Archbishop Joseph Tawil of West Newton, at 85
| work = The Boston Herald
| work = The Boston Herald
| publisher =
| date = February 22, 1999
| date = February 22, 1999
| url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/39169282.html?dids=39169282:39169282&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+22%2C+1999&author=&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=058&desc=Obituary%3B+Archbishop+Joseph+Tawil+of+West+Newton%2C+at+85
| url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/39169282.html?dids=39169282:39169282&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+22%2C+1999&author=&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=058&desc=Obituary%3B+Archbishop+Joseph+Tawil+of+West+Newton%2C+at+85
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524151324/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/39169282.html?dids=39169282:39169282&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+22,+1999&author=&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=058&desc=Obituary%3B+Archbishop+Joseph+Tawil+of+West+Newton,+at+85
| format =
| url-status = dead
⚫
| accessdate = 2008-02-23 }}</ref>
| archive-date = May 24, 2011
⚫
| access-date = 2008-02-23 }}</ref>


==Books and Other Publications==
==Books and other publications==


Tawil published several books in both Arabic and English. They include:
Tawil published several books in both Arabic and English. They include:


*{{cite book |title=The Patriarchate of Antioch Throughout History: An Introduction |publisher=Sophia Press |id=}}
*{{cite book |title=The Patriarchate of Antioch Throughout History: An Introduction |publisher=Sophia Press }}
*{{cite book |title=The Sacraments of Christian Initiation |publisher=Theobooks |id=}}
*{{cite book |title=The Sacraments of Christian Initiation |publisher=Theobooks }}
*{{cite book |title=Saint Basil the Great |publisher=Sophia Press |id=}}
*{{cite book |title=Saint Basil the Great |publisher=Sophia Press }}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 103: Line 91:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.melkite.org/sa10.html Melkite Greek Catholic Church Biography of Joseph Tawil]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005408/http://www.melkite.org/sa10.html Melkite Greek Catholic Church Biography of Joseph Tawil]
* [http://www.melkite.org/role.htm#tawil The Courage To Be Ourselves]
* [http://www.melkite.org/role.htm#tawil The Courage To Be Ourselves] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205045221/http://www.melkite.org/role.htm#tawil |date=2012-02-05 }}
* [http://www.rongolini.com/deacoffc.htm Introduction to the Liturgy of the Divine Office, by Archbishop Joseph Tawil]
* [http://www.rongolini.com/deacoffc.htm Introduction to the Liturgy of the Divine Office, by Archbishop Joseph Tawil]
* [http://www.pgc-lb.org/english/index.shtml Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030417235752/http://www.kwtelecom.com/heraldry/lazarus/history.html#T5 Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem]
* [http://www.opuslibani.org.lb/melkitmenu.html L'Église Melkite/The Melkite Church].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030417235752/http://www.kwtelecom.com/heraldry/lazarus/history.html#T5 L'Église Melkite/The Melkite Church].
* [http://www.mliles.com/melkitecatholic/index.shtml Melkite Catholic Web Ring].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080927014042/http://www.mliles.com/melkitecatholic/index.shtml Melkite Catholic Web Ring].
* [http://www.melkite.org Official Website of the Melkite Church in the US].
* [http://www.melkite.org Official Website of the Melkite Church in the US].
* [http://phoenicia.org/melkites.html Extensive history of the Melkite Church]
* [http://phoenicia.org/melkites.html Extensive history of the Melkite Church]
Line 114: Line 102:


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Tawil, Joseph
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American bishop
| DATE OF BIRTH =December 25, 1913
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[Damascus]], [[Syria]]
| DATE OF DEATH =February 17, 1999
| PLACE OF DEATH =Newton, Massachusetts
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tawil, Joseph}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tawil, Joseph}}
[[Category:American people of Arab descent]]
[[Category:American Melkite Greek Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:American Melkite Greek Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:American Eastern Catholics]]
[[Category:American Eastern Catholics]]
Line 136: Line 115:
[[Category:20th-century Eastern Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century Eastern Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Melkite Greek Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:Melkite Greek Catholic bishops]]
[[Category:20th-century American clergy]]

Latest revision as of 17:28, 16 October 2024

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Joseph Tawil
Archbishop of Newton
ChurchMelkite Greek Catholic
SeeEparchy of Newton
In officeMarch 15, 1970—December 12, 1989
PredecessorBishop Justin Najmy
SuccessorBishop Ignatius Ghattas
Previous post(s)Patriarchal Vicar for the See of Damascus
Orders
OrdinationJuly 20, 1936
ConsecrationJanuary 1, 1960
Personal details
BornDecember 25, 1913
Damascus, Syria
DiedFebruary 17, 1999
Newton, Massachusetts, United States

Joseph Elias Tawil (December 25, 1913 – February 17, 1999) was a Syrian prelate who served as Eparch of Newton in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church from 1970 to 1989. He is remembered for his participation in the Second Vatican Council, expanding the Melkite Church in the United States, and articulating the unique role of the Eastern Catholic Churches in his 1970 pastoral letter, The Courage to Be Ourselves.

Early life

[edit]

Joseph Elias Tawil was born in Damascus, Syria, the son of Elias and Malakie (Salman) Tawil.[1] One of nine children in the family, he was raised in an observant Melkite family; his maternal uncles included Paul Salman, the Archbishop of Petra and all Jordan, and Archimandrite Clement Salman.[2] He studied for the priesthood under the White Fathers in St. Anne's Seminary in Jerusalem.[3] He was ordained as priest on July 20, 1936 and assigned to the Patriarchal College (Al Madrassah Al Batryakiyah) in Cairo, Egypt. For seven years he was a teacher and later dean of the institution. In 1943 he became president/headmaster of the college. He was raised to the dignity of archimandrite by Patriarch Maximos IV Sayegh in 1952 and appointed Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria in 1954 with continued residence in Cairo as head of the college.[4] Tawil continued to lead the Patriarchal College in Cairo until his appointment as Patriarchal Vicar of Damascus on August 29, 1959.

Episcopate

[edit]

Damascus and United States

[edit]

Tawil was consecrated bishop in Damascus on January 1, 1960. While in this position he attended the Second Vatican Council where, as a representative of the Melkite Church, he worked with Patriarch Maximos IV to further understanding and cooperation between the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox Church. In November 1967 Patriarch Maximos IV was succeeded after his death by Archbishop Tawil's friend and predecessor in the Cairo Patriarchal College, Archbishop George Selim Hakim, a native Egyptian who took the name Maximos V. Archbishop Hakim had been the first Archbishop of Nazareth and all Galilee and had been the guide for Pope Paul VI on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the beginning of his reign.

On October 30, 1969, Archbishop Tawil was appointed Apostolic Exarch for the United States by Pope Paul VI, and was installed on March 15, 1970. He succeeded Bishop Justin Najmy, the first Melkite bishop in the United States. Bishop Najmy had died only two years after his installation, and thus the major task of welding an efficient diocese out of the existing parishes scattered over the country fell to Archbishop Tawil.

Upon arriving in the United States Tawil was fluent in Arabic and French and proficient in Greek and Latin but did not speak English. He quickly learned English and published some of his most influential writings in the language of his new homeland.

The Courage To Be Ourselves

[edit]
Main article: The Courage To Be Ourselves

One of Tawil's first actions was to write the pastoral letter The Courage to be Ourselves to strengthen his flock, many of whom were relatively newcomers in this country and surrounded by the far more numerous Latin Catholics. The document, delivered as a Christmas 1970 pastoral letter, reminds Eastern Catholics of their rich traditions and how the Catholic Church benefits from diversity. In it he stated:

The existence of Eastern Churches as part of the Catholic family, although they have distinct customs and traditions in all areas of Church life, dramatically shows that to be Catholic one does not have to conform to the Roman model. Indeed, the Roman Church, as the [Second Vatican] Council affirmed, has learned many lessons of late from the East in the fields of liturgy (use of the vernacular, Communion in both kinds, baptism by immersion), of Church order (collegiality, synodal government, the role of the deacon), and spirituality. In a very real sense, the Western Church needs a vibrant Eastern Church to complement its understanding of the Christian message. By our fidelity to maintaining our patrimony, by our refusal to be assimilated, the Eastern Churches render a most precious service to Rome in still another area of Church life. Latinizing this small number of Easterners would not be a gain for Rome; rather it would block - perhaps forever - a union of the separated Churches of the East and West. It would be easy then for Orthodoxy to see that union with Rome leads surely to ecclesiastical assimilation.

Development of the Eparchy of Newton

[edit]

Tawil founded the diocesan publication "Sophia" and in 1971 established a diaconate training program, the first in an Eastern Catholic diocese in the United States. He also established a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Later he inaugurated a Diocesan Communications Office, the National Association of Melkite Youth, and a full-time Office of Educational Services.

On June 28, 1976 Tawil was raised to archbishop. He was installed as eparch of Newton on February 14, 1977.[5] During his tenure as eparch, Tawil founded eight new parishes and five missions. He ordained 26 new priests and 23 deacons. He also played a significant role in the founding a convent for women religious in Danbury, Connecticut.

Upon reaching retirement age, Archbishop Tawil assumed emeritus status on December 12, 1989, but remained active in church affairs despite the onset of Parkinson's disease. He was succeeded by Bishop Ignatius Ghattas as Eparch of Newton. Tawil died at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts on February 17, 1999.[6]

Books and other publications

[edit]

Tawil published several books in both Arabic and English. They include:

  • The Patriarchate of Antioch Throughout History: An Introduction. Sophia Press.
  • The Sacraments of Christian Initiation. Theobooks.
  • Saint Basil the Great. Sophia Press.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  • Bishop Nicholas Samra, ed. (2009). The Courage to Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil. Boston: Sophia Press.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Garrett, Paul D.; Purpura, Kathleen A. (2007). Archbishop Joseph Tawil. AuthorHouse. p. 371. ISBN 978-1-4343-0000-3. Retrieved 2008-09-20. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Nicholas Samra, ed. (2009). The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil. Boston: Sophia Press. p. 11.
  3. ^ Long, Tom (February 23, 1999). "Archbishop Joseph E. Tawil, headed Melkite Greek Catholics in US; at 85". The Boston Globe. pp. B5.
  4. ^ Nicholas Samra, ed. (2009). The Courage To Be Ourselves: The Legacy of Archbishop Joseph Tawil. Boston: Sophia Press. p. 12.
  5. ^ Cheney, David. "Archbishop Joseph Elias Tawil". Catholic Hierarchy.com. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  6. ^ "Archbishop Joseph Tawil of West Newton, at 85". The Boston Herald. February 22, 1999. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
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