Cardinal Daoud dead at 81

April 09, 2012

Cardianl Ignace Moussa I (Basile) Daoud, who served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches from 2000 to 2007, died on April 7 in Rome at the age of 81.

Ordained to the priesthood in the Syrian Catholic Church in 1954, Cardinal Daoud served as the Bishop of Cairo (1977-94) and Archbishop of Homs (1994-98) before becoming Patriarch of Antioch for the Syrians, a position from which he resigned in 2001. The previous year, he became the first Eastern Catholic prelate to head the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Blessed John Paul created him a cardinal in 2001.

“In these days when we are celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord, as I remember the peoples of the region who are living through difficult moments, I ask him to welcome into his joy and peace the soul of this faithful Pastor who dedicated himself with faith and generosity to the service of the People of God,” Pope Benedict said in his message of condolence to the Syrian Catholic patriarchate.

The Syrian Catholic Church now numbers 132,000; most of its members live in Syria, Lebanon, or Iraq.

 

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Further information:

• The Pope's condolences on the death of Cardinal Daoud (Vatican Radio)
• Syrian Catholic Church (CNEWA)