Michael Fadel
Encyclopedia
Michael II Fadel (or Mikhail Fadil), was the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch from 1793 to his death in 1795.
, Lebanon
in 1710. Ordained priest
at 21 years, from 1741 to 1753 he served the community of Acre where he erected a church. In 1754 he converted to Christianity the fist member of the governing Shihab family
. In 1762 Michael Fadel was appointed and consecrated bishop
of Tyre and Patriarchal Vicar by Patriarch Tobias El Khazen
, who later appointed him also bishop of Beirut in place of Joseph Estephan.
After 1766, under the patriarchate of Joseph Estephan
, Michael Fadel sided with the opponents to the Patriarch led by the Khazen
Sheikh
es, and he was one of supporters of the suspension of the Patriarch from 1779 to 1784, due to the Hindiyé
's issue. Patriarch Estephan, in turn, appointed in 1768 Athanase Scenai and later in 1779 Joseph Najm (or Nujaym) in his place as bishop of Beirut. The solution of the dispute about the see of Beirut occurred only in the synod of 1786 where an agreement was found and Michael Fadel was confirmed as bishop of Beirut.
Patriarch Joseph Estephan died on April 22, 1793, but because of a pestilence the bishops could meet only in September. On September 10, 1793
Michael Fadel was elected Patriarch, and he choose to reside in the monastery of Dayr Harrash (in Keserwan District
). As his predecessors, Michael Fadel asked the Pope
to confirm his election. Michael Fadel anyway died on May 17, 1795 at Dayr Harrash, where he was buried, before the Vatican
could confirm him.
Life
Michael Fadel was born in BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
in 1710. Ordained priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
at 21 years, from 1741 to 1753 he served the community of Acre where he erected a church. In 1754 he converted to Christianity the fist member of the governing Shihab family
Shihab family
The "Shihabs", or "Chehabs" are a prominent Lebanese noble family. The Chehabs were the traditional princes of the Wadi al-Taym, who traced their lineage to the ancient Quraysh tribe from Mecca. The Chehabs descended from the Maans through the female line...
. In 1762 Michael Fadel was appointed and consecrated bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Tyre and Patriarchal Vicar by Patriarch Tobias El Khazen
Tobias El Khazen
Tobias El Khazen was the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch from 1756 to his death in 1766.-Life:Tobias El Khazen was a member of the Abu Nawfal branch of the Khazen family, which ruled the Keserwan District, and he was a nephew of Patriarch Joseph Dergham El Khazen...
, who later appointed him also bishop of Beirut in place of Joseph Estephan.
After 1766, under the patriarchate of Joseph Estephan
Joseph Estephan
Joseph VI Estephan , , was the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch from 1766 until his death in 1793.-Life:...
, Michael Fadel sided with the opponents to the Patriarch led by the Khazen
Khazen
Khazen is the name of a prominent Noble Levantine family based in Keserwan District, Lebanon, Damascus, Syria, Nablus, Palestine as well as other distrits around the Levant. The Khazen family have traced their lineage through DNA testing to Jericho, Palestine also known as Tell el-Sultan 8500 B.C....
Sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
es, and he was one of supporters of the suspension of the Patriarch from 1779 to 1784, due to the Hindiyé
Hindiyya al-'Ujaimi
Hindiyya , was a Maronite mystic nun which claimed to have many visions of Jesus and Mary. She was a central figure in the history of the Maronite Church in the 18th century...
's issue. Patriarch Estephan, in turn, appointed in 1768 Athanase Scenai and later in 1779 Joseph Najm (or Nujaym) in his place as bishop of Beirut. The solution of the dispute about the see of Beirut occurred only in the synod of 1786 where an agreement was found and Michael Fadel was confirmed as bishop of Beirut.
Patriarch Joseph Estephan died on April 22, 1793, but because of a pestilence the bishops could meet only in September. On September 10, 1793
Michael Fadel was elected Patriarch, and he choose to reside in the monastery of Dayr Harrash (in Keserwan District
Keserwan District
Keserwan is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate , Lebanon, to the northeast of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
). As his predecessors, Michael Fadel asked the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
to confirm his election. Michael Fadel anyway died on May 17, 1795 at Dayr Harrash, where he was buried, before the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
could confirm him.