Media CenterBishop Gregory John Mansour Named Chairman of Catholic Relief Services’ Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kim Pozniak
Catholic Relief Services
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410-951-7281

BALTIMORE, MD, November 22, 2016 – Bishop Gregory John Mansour was today named chairman of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) board of directors by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the newly elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Bishop Mansour, a CRS board member since 2012 who serves on its Overseas Operations and Audit committees as well as the Advisory Committee on Catholic Identity, succeeds Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who has been chairman since 2013. Archbishop Coakley will continue to serve on the CRS board.

“I am at once humbled and honored to be able to lead an organization so committed to assisting our brothers and sisters in need wherever they live,” said Mansour, who is bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. “Over the years, I’ve seen the great work done on behalf of Catholics in the United States to ease the suffering and improve the quality of life of millions of people living in extreme poverty or fleeing conflict around the world. It is truly an honor to be part of this great organization carrying out the Gospel.”

“We are grateful for Bishop Mansour in accepting the appointment of chairman of the board of CRS and in overseeing the important work they do throughout the globe to bring aid and hope to so many,” said Cardinal DiNardo. “Bishop Mansour's long standing service in every area of the work of CRS is completed by his pastoral concern for the humanitarian efforts of CRS in the Middle East and on behalf of persecuted Christians.”

“I also wish to express my gratitude for the tremendous contributions made by Archbishop Coakley for his tireless work as chairman of the CRS board over the past three years. His leadership, most particularly in those areas of assistance to those in regions of conflict and poverty, is deeply appreciated,” DiNardo said.

As a board member, Mansour has traveled to Lebanon and Jordan to witness firsthand the Syrian refugee crisis, and also to Egypt and El Salvador where CRS works on programs like peacebuilding and with at-risk youth respectively.

“We have worked with Bishop Mansour for the last four years and know and appreciate his commitment to the poor,” said Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, president and CEO of CRS. “I know everyone at CRS looks forward to his leadership as we work together to address a wide variety of challenges that affect so many members of God’s family. And I’m profoundly grateful for Archbishop Coakley’s leadership, guidance and support. He unfailingly responded to all our inquiries promptly with valuable spiritual and practical wisdom. He demonstrated enthusiasm for our work and affirmation for all our colleagues, particularly those at the front line.”

Bishop Mansour was named as Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in January 2004 by Pope John Paul II and was ordained in Lebanon by Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir in March 2004. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Western Michigan University, he entered Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C., and was ordained a priest in 1982. In 1981 and 1983 he received an STB degree from The Catholic University of America and the STL degree in Spiritual Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. He is a member of the Maronite Synod of Bishops.

With the announcement of CRS’ new chairman also comes the election of three new directors to the Board -- two bishops chosen by the USCCB and a new lay director selected by the CRS Board. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee; Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee; and Stephen A. Walsh, former Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Western Asset Management Company, will serve three-year terms beginning in January.

CRS expresses its appreciation to the Hon. Geraldine Rivera of Albuquerque; Bishop William P. Callahan, OFM Conv., of La Crosse; and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice for their valuable service. They are stepping down from the Board of Directors at the end of 2016 after completing their terms.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, please visit crs.org or crsespanol.org and follow CRS on social media: Facebook, @CatholicRelief, @CRSnews, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.