JERUSALEM — When Sami El-Yousef steps down as chief executive officer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Sept. 1, after nearly a decade of service, he will know that the Roman Catholic archdiocese is strong, not only pastorally but fiscally.
This has been no small feat, considering the challenges brought about by the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, preceded by the COVID-19 pandemic a few years earlier. Despite the humanitarian challenges, and a pilgrimage/tourism industry that has been hard hit by the recent crises, the archdiocese continues to serve the Holy Land community.
“The emergencies do not take your attention away from the normal development and expansion of the Church and its institutions,” El-Yousef told the Register.
Even during a humanitarian disaster like the one in Gaza, El-Yousef said, the day-to-day running of parishes must continue. Working alongside the Latin patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, El-Yousef has overseen the administrative, financial and logistical operations that enable the Catholic Church to carry out its mission across Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Cyprus.
“Most of the work is behind the scenes, for sure,” said El-Yousef, who will retire when he leaves his post. “What is important is to work professionally, stay above board,
