VATICAN, Jan. 8, 01 (CWNews.com) -- Patriarch Ignace Moussa I Daoud of Antioch has resigned his position as leader of the Syrian Catholic Church, in order to take up his new Vatican duties as prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.

    Pope John Paul II accepted the Patriarch's resignation on January 8, but stipulated that the Syrian prelate would continue to enjoy the title of "patriarch" after arriving in Rome on January 9 to take up his new duties.

    Patriarch Ignace Moussa I Daoud is replacing Cardinal Achille Silvestrini as the prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. His appointment was announced by the Vatican last November. He is expected to be named to the College of Cardinals at the next consistory, which is planned for late February.

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January 9, 2001
volume 12, no. 9
News from the Vatican

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