Antoine Audo S.J. (born 3 January 1946) is a Syrian Chaldean Catholic hierarch, who has served as the Bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Aleppo since 1992. He is a prominent international voice regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria and served for several terms as the President of Caritas Syria.[1]
Most Reverend Antoine Audo, S.J. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Aleppo | |
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| Church | Chaldean Catholic Church |
| Installed | 18 January 1992 |
| Predecessor | Stéphane Bello |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 5 August 1979 |
| Consecration | 11 October 1992 by Raphael I Bidawid |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Antoine Audo 3 January 1946 |
| Education | Sorbonne Nouvelle University |
Biography
editAntoine Audo was born on 3 January 1946, in Aleppo, Syria, but his parents hail from Alqosh, Iraq.[2] He joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained to the priesthood on 5 August 1979.[3] He made an advanced academic studies in France, completing a doctorate at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in 1979 with a thesis on the philosophical thought of Zaki al-Arsuzi.[4]
On 18 January 1992, he was elected Bishop of Aleppo by the Chaldean Synod. His election was confirmed by Pope John Paul II.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on 11 October 1992 from Patriarch Raphael I Bidawid.[3]
Throughout the Syrian civil war, Audo remained in Aleppo, coordinating emergency relief through Caritas Syria. On 29 January 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.[6] He was a participant in the electoral Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in January 2013, which elected the new Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako[2] and in 2018, he participated in the ad limina visit of the Chaldean Catholic bishops to Pope Francis.[7]
He has frequently addressed the international community, advocating for political solutions and humanitarian aid to preserve the Christian presence in the Middle East.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 Lesegretain, Claire (14 December 2012). "Mgr Audo: "Je demande aux puissances internationales de faire aux Syriens ce cadeau de la paix"". La Croix (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- 1 2 "بطاقة تعريف بالاساقفة الناخبين لاختيار بطريرك كنيسة المشرق الكلدانية وبحسب اسبقية الرسامة الاسقفية!". Ishtar TV (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Bishop Antoine Audo, S.J." Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Zaki Al Arsouzi un arabe face a la Modernite". SUDOC. Abes. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Acta Apostolicae Sedis" (PDF). Acta Apostolicae Sedis. 85. Libreria Editrice Vaticana: 447. 1993.
- ↑ "Rinunce e Nomine, 29.01.2011" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "Audiences, 05.02.2018" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2026.