NEW YORK — Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Chair of the Board of Trustees of CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association), has announced that the Holy See has confirmed the board’s election of Msgr. John E. Kozar as President of CNEWA. In addition, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Msgr. Kozar as President of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine. Both are effective 15 September 2011.
A priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Msgr. Kozar is completing ten years of service as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. He will replace Msgr. Robert L. Stern, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, chief executive of CNEWA since 1987.
CNEWA is a special agency of the Holy See that has been providing pastoral and humanitarian support to the churches and peoples of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe since 1926. Its mandate from the Holy Father includes working for the unity of the church and educating Christians in the West about the history, cultures, churches and ancient Christian religions of the lands it serves.
In addition to its central office in Rome and administrative headquarters office in New York City, CNEWA has offices and programs in Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and the United States. The agency works with, for and through the Catholic churches of the East. Its programs include the preparation of clergy, religious and lay leaders; building religious and social service institutions; care of needy children; and relief and development.