Archimandrite Antoine Rizk, a member of the Basilian Salvatorian Order and its regional superior for North America, has been elected superior general of the community.
Archimandrite Rizk retired as pastor of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary in Brooklyn on 1 June. He was elected superior in mid-July at the order’s general chapter at Holy Savior Monastery in Joun, Lebanon.
The Basilian Salvatorian Order — dedicated to pastoral care, missionary outreach, and educational and ecumenical endeavors — operates within the Melkite Greek Catholic Church; the order’s headquarters are in Rome.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association has a special relationship with the new superior: His seminary education was subsidized through a donor-funded CNEWA program.
After his election, Archimandrite Rizk told the order, “We are called to deep faith, tireless missionary zeal and courageous dialogue. May our service across Lebanon, Syria, the Holy Land and North America and beyond continue to bear witness to Christ’s love.”
In a news release, the order announced plans to expand formation and spiritual programs for seminarians and third-order members, enhance ecumenical initiatives and interfaith dialogue within the Middle East, and strengthen support for diaspora communities in North America, Europe and beyond.