Pope Names New Eparch for Armenian Catholics in US And Canada

WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI has named Archpriest Mikaël Mouradian, superior of the Convent of Notre Dame in Bzommar, Lebanon, as the new bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in New York for Armenian Catholics.

.The appointment of Lebanon-born Bishop Mouradian was publicized in Washington, May 21, by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-elect Mouradian, who succeeds Bishop Manuel Batakian, 81, is a member of the Lebanon-based Institute of the Patriarchal Clergy of Bzommar. Among positions he has held is head of Caritas Armenia.

The New York-based eparchate includes about 25,000 people in the United States and 10,000 in Canada. The largest communities are in Los Angeles and Montreal.

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