Originally published at National Catholic Register
Father Twal succeeds the late American Bishop Robert Patrick Maginnis as titular bishop of Siminia.
Pope Francis on Dec. 17 appointed Father Iyad Twal as auxiliary bishop of the patriarchal diocese of Jerusalem of the Latins for Jordan and as titular bishop of Siminia.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for Twal’s appointments and asked for prayers for the new bishop-elect who will begin “a new mission as patriarchal vicar for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
“After years of priestly ministry, he is now called from the very heart of the Mother Church to be a successor of the apostles with the mandate to teach, govern, and sanctify the people of God,” the Latin patriarch said in a statement released Tuesday.
“I wish the bishop-elect every success, and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, queen of Palestine, I invoke upon them the blessing of Almighty God,” he added.
Father Twal succeeds the late American Bishop Robert Patrick Maginnis as titular bishop of Siminia. The titular see was vacant for two years prior to Twal’s appointment.
Born in Jordan’s capital city Amman, Twal, 51, was ordained to the priesthood in
