Click here to view pictures

“I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in me, though he die, he shall live.”
- John 11:25

 

[A tribute by Fr. François Beyrouti] 

Bishop Sleiman Hajjar, 1950-2002

A man with a loving heart, a bishop of tender service.

 

Prior to Sunday, March 10, 2002, the mention of “Bishop Sleiman” would instantaneously light up faces. Since, March 10, the name “Bishop Sleiman” brings flows of tears to even the driest eyes.

In a little more than five years, our beloved friend, confidant, companion, director, initiator, inspirer and shepherd, was able to win the hearts of those who met him in Ottawa, and then those throughout Canada who were blessed to have encountered, or shared a word or deep conversation with him.

To the faithful, scattered from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, Bishop Sleiman extended a helping hand, and offered a listening ear. He crisscrossed the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone  – always teaching with great eloquence.

Bishop Sleiman was born on May 13, 1950 to a family from Jezzine, Lebanon, well known for their piety and virtue. After completing high school, he continued his studies at St. Joseph University in Beirut, where he received a degree in business administration. He then went on to study Theology and Liturgy at Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon.

After joining the Basilian Salvatorian Order, Bishop Sleiman was ordained a priest in 1979. Prior to his arrival in Canada, he was involved in many social and cultural activities. He established a wide range of humanitarian endeavours in the Middle East and abroad, focusing especially on helping children and youth during the massive upheaval of the civil war in Lebanon. Throughout this period, he demonstrated an exceptional level of courage and strength in protecting the lives of many, and standing up for the rights of the most abandoned.

Bishop Sleiman loved the splendid past of the Melkite Catholic Church, with her ornate and magnificent Church buildings, which he graced with his presence. He loved her rich iconography, which is as deep and colourful as was his personality. He loved her melodious chants which he sung with the fullness of his heart; making the walls vibrate, and the minds and thoughts of all believers ascend directly to the throne of God.

He planned for a splendid future, which he was only beginning to realize. Bishop Sleiman’s vision of the whole Church consisted in maintaining close links to her Middle Eastern roots, while at the same time carefully and diligently addressing the numerous needs and challenges found in Canada.  Those from Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, along with those of diverse and various backgrounds, formed for him one church. His desire was to see all singing, praising and rejoicing together.

As bishop, he respected and valued the opinions of all. He felt that his gift was to be with us and for us, rather than above us.  He was the spiritual companion of his beloved flock - walking closely and attentively; always very near.

Bishop Sleiman lovingly bore all persons in the tenderness of his heart. Within his heart can undoubtedly be seen the names of each one of us:

-          the names of all his relatives and friends in Lebanon, Canada, and throughout the world,
-          the names of the boys and girls he baptized,
-          the names of the couples he wedded,
-          the names of those whom he buried,
-          the names of his seminarians in Canada and Lebanon,
-          the names of his priests, who shared with him in the ministry of Jesus Christ, and whom he loved to serve when they sat with him at table,
-          the names of those communities in Canada that still do not have a priest,
-          the names of all the youth, whose concerns were his priority,
-          the names of the multitude who had asked for his blessing and prayers.

Who was this man whose heart could hold so much?

This is the man with a loving heart, the bishop of tender service - whose smile had radiated magnificent beams of light directing us to our heavenly home, whose eyes had gazed in search of Divine insight, and whose prayerful lips had shared our names with our loving Father.

This heart that had carried these names, our names, now rests in the peace and love of the heart of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To you, who brought us to God, we now bring our prayers to God for you.

From our hearts to your heart: “WE LOVE YOU.”

 Back to Resource Centre.