Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron of Sydney
Professional services
UnclaimedThe Catholic Church's Maronite eparchy serving Maronite Catholics throughout Australia.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron of Sydney is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Maronite Church, an Eastern Catholic church in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Its canonical territory covers Australia, and its pastoral responsibilities include serving Maronite Catholic communities, parishes, clergy, schools, religious communities, nursing homes and other community institutions across the country. Although its name identifies Sydney as its principal see, the eparchy operates nationally, with communities and churches in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. The eparchy developed from the pastoral needs of Lebanese Maronite migrants who arrived in Australia during the nineteenth century. In 1889, the Maronite Patriarchate decided that dedicated ministry should be established for the Lebanese Christian community in Sydney. Priests Abdallah Yazbeck and Joseph Dahdah arrived at Sydney on 8 May 1893 and established a Maronite chapel in Waterloo in 1894. A larger church was inaugurated in 1897 by Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, giving the community a more permanent institutional base. For much of the twentieth century, Saint Maron Church in Redfern served as the principal center for Australian Maronites. As the community expanded and families settled in additional metropolitan areas, the eparchy's institutional network broadened. During the 1960s, new construction in Redfern included a church, town hall, school and rectory. Land was also secured at Harris Park, where the Church of Our Lady of Lebanon became an important center for the growing community. Religious congregations, including the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family, the Maronite Missionaries and Antonine monks, contributed to pastoral, educational and social work. The formal eparchy was erected by Pope Paul VI on 25 June 1973. Ignace Abdo Khalif was appointed its first eparch and was charged with organizing the new jurisdiction, recruiting clergy and supporting the establishment of additional communities. Under his leadership, churches and other facilities were developed in locations including Harris Park, Croydon and Thornleigh, while land and institutional resources were acquired for expansion. Joseph Hitti succeeded Khalif in 1991 and continued the development of educational, pastoral and religious infrastructure, including Saint Charbel's College and other community facilities. Ad Abi Karam became the third eparch in 2002, followed by Antoine-Charbel Tarabay in 2013. The eparchy is best understood not as a commercial brand but as a national religious and community institution. Its public identity is associated with the preservation of the Syriac-Maronite liturgical tradition, pastoral care for Australian Maronite Catholics, Lebanese and Middle Eastern cultural continuity, Catholic education, charitable activity and the maintenance of parish life. The eparchy reported approximately 160,000 Lebanese Maronite Catholics in Australia in 2010, organized at that time through 11 parishes; later descriptions identify 17 parishes across the country. The principal cathedral is Saint Maron's Cathedral in Redfern, while Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park is described as the largest parish center in the jurisdiction.
History
The Maronite presence in Australia emerged alongside Lebanese migration during the nineteenth century. In 1889, the Maronite Patriarchate responded to the needs of Lebanese Maronite Christians in Sydney by arranging dedicated pastoral ministry. Priests Abdallah Yazbeck and Joseph Dahdah arrived in Sydney on 8 May 1893. They established a chapel in Waterloo in 1894, followed by the inauguration of a new Maronite church on 10 January 1897. Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran presided over that opening, marking an important early institutional milestone for the community. Abdallah Yazbeck remained active in Sydney until his death in 1933. Joseph Dahdah later returned to Lebanon and died in 1936. Abdallah Assaf then served as Maronite pastor until 1960. Chukrallah Harb followed him in 1961 and served until returning to Vatican City in 1963. During this period, Saint Maron Church in Redfern functioned as the principal center for Maronite Catholics in Australia for approximately seven decades. The community's geographic distribution gradually changed as Maronite families established themselves in other parts of Sydney and in additional Australian population centers. Peter Ziade was appointed to continue pastoral work in 1963, assisted by the priest Trad. Between 1963 and 1965, the Redfern community built a new Saint Maron church together with a town hall, school and rectory. The Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family began missionary work in Australia in 1968. In Harris Park, land was acquired and a community hall developed; the foundation stone for the Church of Our Lady of Lebanon was laid in 1970. These projects reflected the community's increasing size and its transition from a single migrant congregation into a network of parishes and institutions. The eparchy was erected on 25 June 1973 by Pope Paul VI through the papal bull Illo fretis. Ignace Abdo Khalif was appointed the first eparch in October of that year. His responsibilities included organizing the new jurisdiction, securing additional clergy and encouraging the formation of further Maronite communities in Australia. Priests including Michal Boumelhem, Youseff Touma, Antoun Shalhoub and Nakhle Akiki answered the appeal for assistance and supported the eparchy's early pastoral development. During Khalif's tenure, the Church of Our Lady of Lebanon was opened in 1978. Further churches were developed at Croydon and Thornleigh, and property was acquired for the episcopal administration in Strathfield. The Antonine Sisters established a presence in Melbourne in 1981. Other initiatives included the Home of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harris Park, preparations for a church in Wollongong and the purchase of nearby properties to support the Harris Park complex. Khalif's mission ended in 1991, when Joseph Hitti became eparch. Hitti took office on 4 March 1991. His period of leadership coincided with continued growth in parish, educational and religious infrastructure. In 1993, the Congregation of Maronite Missionaries was welcomed to Sydney and began pastoral work. A kindergarten facility was opened in Belmore, while plans proceeded for a central institution for the Maronite sisters in Dulwich Hill. The Lebanese Our Lady of Lebanon University and Saint Charbel High School were inaugurated during this period. Antonine monks were invited to Melbourne and arrived in December 1997 to serve the faithful there. Hitti also presided over the inauguration of a new secretariat in Strathfield. Ad Abi Karam was formally installed as the third Maronite bishop of Australia on 8 February 2002. On 17 April 2013, Antoine-Charbel Tarabay succeeded him and became the fourth eparch. Under its current structure, the eparchy has pastoral jurisdiction over Maronite Catholics throughout Australia, with parishes and institutions in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Its cathedral is located in Redfern, Sydney, and Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park is one of its most prominent parish centers. The eparchy's work combines liturgical ministry, religious education, community organization, cultural continuity and social services for Australian Maronite Catholics.
- 2013
Antoine-Charbel Tarabay appointed
[1]Antoine-Charbel Tarabay replaced Ad Abi Karam on 17 April and became the fourth eparch.
- 2002
Ad Abi Karam installed
[1]Ad Abi Karam was formally installed as the third Maronite bishop of Australia on 8 February.
- 1991
Joseph Hitti becomes eparch
[1]Joseph Hitti assumed leadership of the eparchy on 4 March.
- 1978
Our Lady of Lebanon church opens
[1]The Church of Our Lady of Lebanon was opened during Khalif's leadership.
- 1973
Eparchy canonically erected
[1]Pope Paul VI established the eparchy on 25 June, and Ignace Abdo Khalif became its first eparch later that year.
- 1970
Our Lady of Lebanon project begins
[1]The foundation stone for the Church of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harris Park was laid after land and community facilities had been secured.
- 1968
Maronite Sisters begin missionary work
[1]The Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family commenced missionary activity in Australia.
- 1963
Peter Ziade continues pastoral expansion
[1]Peter Ziade took responsibility for the Maronite pastoral mission and helped advance institutional development in Sydney.
- 1897
Maronite church inaugurated
[1]A new church was inaugurated in Sydney on 10 January by Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran.
- 1894
Waterloo chapel established
[1]The priests established a Maronite chapel in the Waterloo district.
Products and positioning
A national Eastern Catholic jurisdiction preserving Maronite religious life and serving the pastoral, educational and community needs of Maronite Catholics in Australia.
Religious services
Parish ministry
The eparchy provides parish-based worship, sacramental ministry, pastoral care and community administration for Maronite Catholics across Australia. Its network includes churches in several states, with Saint Maron's Cathedral in Redfern serving as the principal episcopal church.
Religious education
Maronite liturgy and religious formation
A central function of the eparchy is maintaining the Maronite liturgical tradition within the Australian Catholic community. Parish activities include worship, catechesis, faith formation and pastoral programs for children, families and adults.
Education
Catholic education
The eparchy's institutional history includes schools, kindergarten facilities and Saint Charbel High School. These educational activities connect Catholic formation with the cultural and pastoral life of Australia's Maronite community.
Community services
Community and social-care institutions
Maronite institutions associated with the eparchy have included community halls, nursing homes, residences and other social facilities. Their purpose is to support parishioners and preserve communal ties among Australian Maronite families.
Brand decisions
2013
Change of eparchial leadershipOtherBackground
After Ad Abi Karam's period as eparch, the Maronite Church appointed a new bishop to lead the Australian eparchy.
Action taken
Antoine-Charbel Tarabay replaced Karam on 17 April 2013.
Aftermath
Tarabay became the fourth eparch and the current leader identified in the reference material.
1973
Create a national Maronite jurisdictionStrategyBackground
Maronite communities had expanded beyond the original Sydney congregation and required a formal structure capable of coordinating pastoral ministry throughout Australia.
Action taken
Pope Paul VI erected the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron of Sydney on 25 June 1973 and appointed Ignace Abdo Khalif as its first eparch.
Aftermath
The new eparchy provided a national framework for parish development, clergy deployment, religious communities, education and community institutions.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/maronite-eparchy-of-saint-maron-of-sydney · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled