A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MARONITE CATHOLIC CHURCH SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITY HISTORY 1896- The first Maronite and Lebanese immigrants arrived in Durban, Cape Town and Mozambique, and congregated around their local Catholic Churches. 1905- Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle arrived in order to uphold the Maronite Rite. He converted a building in Johannesburg into a church and residence. On returning to Lebanon he died, a victim on the ill-fated ship, the Waratah. 1910- Fr. Joseph Ashkar arrived in Johannesburg, and purchased a church and rectory in Commissioner Str. and later moved to the corner of Diagonal & Kerk Str, Johannesburg. 1913- The SA Lebanese Association takes action and defeats the Supreme Court in the case known as the ‘Gandur Case’ which would classify the Lebanese as non-white (Asiatic) and therefore subjected to all the impediments of these laws against human rights with appeal in the Appellate division of the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein. 1927- Fr. Ashkar resigned his office, transferring his pastoral duties to the Congregation of the Maronite Lebanese Missionaries, known as the “Kreim”. 1928- Fr Yousef Juan served the community for one year. Fr. Peter Alam succeeded Fr. Ashkar, sent by the Maronite Patriarch. Fr. Alam set about serving the community. Fr. Alam acquired a former Dutch Reformed Church at 61 Mint Rd, Fordsburg and built a community centre, a four storey building, beginning the first Lebanese school in S.A. and serving the community tirelessly for 34 years. 1962- Fr. Alam passed away and Fr. Michael Chebli arrived to assume duties. He served with tireless zeal for 30 years. In the early sixties, the community purchased ground at Cedar Park, which resulted in the building of Our Lady of the Cedars. 1983- Permission was granted by Fr. Paul Najam (Superior-General) to build a church at Cedar Park, three acres of ground was set aside for the new Church, donated by the Cedar Park Lebanese Christian Association (LCA). 1990- The foundation of the new Church of Our Lady of the Cedars was completed. Fr. Nabil Rizkallah arrived in Johannesburg to assist with pastoral duties at Our Lady of Lebanon. After two years he was transferred to Brazil. 1991- Dedication of the new church, Our Lady of the Cedars, on Palm Sunday, 8 April. Fr. Elie Madi arrived to assist in the needs of the Maronite community and to serve at Our Lady of Lebanon and later at Our Lady of the Cedars, where through his efforts, built the Shrine of Our Lady, Priests’ house and the Community Centre (Liban). 1992- The historic visit of our Patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the Maronite Church. 1993- Construction of rectory and offices, Woodmead. 1994- Fr. Nadim Abou Zeid arrived to assist in both churches, and more so at Our Lady of Lebanon. 1995- Completion of conference centre and hall at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon. Between 1991 and 1995, four missionaries helped Fr Madi sustain the community’s needs. Fr’s Nabil Rizkallah, George Bou Msallem, Marwan Tabet and Nadim Abou Zeid originated and revived educational, pastoral and cultural activities. Emphasis was placed on youth. Fr. Hannoun Andraous succeeded Fr. Madi as Superior, in October, 1995. His main accomplishment was the Family Tree and the introduction of the pledge system. 1996- On 20 October, Fr. Marwan Tabet arrived back from the U.S.A. to replace Fr Hannoun as head of the Mission. 1997- The community has grown in spiritual, social, intellectual and cultural activities, as well as in numbers. The Religious Education programmes were expanded. New spiritual, social and cultural activities were introduced. Fr. Pierre Albalaa joined the missionaries team. 1998- The agenda of new projects included the acquisition of property on the southern side of the Johannesburg Metropolitan area. 1999- 1 May, unveiling the new statue of Our Lady of Lebanon on the Shrine at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon by Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Apostolic Nuncio. 25 July – Consecration of the ground and dedication of the cornerstone of the new church, Our Lady of Lebanon, at Liefde- en-Vrede, by Bishop Reginald J. Orsmond. Fr. Tabet returns to Lebanon and Fr. Pierre Albalaa is appointed Superior.Fr. Maurice Chidiac joins the mission in South Africa. 2000- March – Construction of the new Church begins. First group of Maronite Assistant Ministers to the Maronite Mission are appointed to assist our priests in pastoral work. 2001- Fr. Nadim Abou Zeid is appointed Head of the Maronite Mission. July – Construction of the new Shrine begins at Liefde-en-Vrede. Fr Maurice returns to Lebanon and Fr. Pierre Albalaa takes up his new mission in Los Angeles. Fr. Pierre El-Khoury and Bechara Trad arrive in South Africa to assist the mission. 2002- 26 May – Opening the new Shrine of Our Lady and celebration of the arrival of the statue of Our Lady from Fatima, Portugal, in the presence of 6000 people and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Blasco Franciso Collaço and our General-Superior Fr. Khalil Alwan. Completion and blessing of the foundation stone for the Garden of Remembrance erected at Our Lady of the Cedars, Woodmead. Fr. Boulos Habbouche arrives to assist the mission. December – Fr. Ihab Chamoun and Fr. Michael Chebli arrive in South Africa. 21 December – Our congregation celebrated the 50th Priesthood anniversary of a zealous missionary, Fr. Michael Chebli & his 82nd birthday. 2003- 25 May -Official opening of the new Church of Our Lady of Lebanon, Liefde-en-Vrede (Love-and-Peace). Securing the land of the new Church, purchasing the nursery school and future vision for education. 2004- Finalising the master plan of the new church, Our Lady of Lebanon in Mulbarton which will include Catechism Centre; Monastery of St. John, the Apostle; Hall & Community Centre; and Residential Village & Mini-mall (Byblos). The sale of the building and parking area (except the Church) in Fordsburg is finalized. Rediscovery & Revival of our Maronite Lebanese Community by introducing the ‘Lebanese Family Club”, an initiative to promote the family within the Community. Began with the Sham Family, followed by Bakos, Leicher, Becharre, Kalil, … In September, Fr Kozhaya Sarkis arrives at Our Lady of the Cedars, to replace Fr. Chebli who left on 7 February 2005 to take up an appointment in Argentina. Fr. Pierre El-Khoury joins Fr Bechara at Our Lady of Lebanon, Southern Suburbs. 2001-2004- Reaching out, spiritually, to all our people in the Southern Suburb and throughout the community. Our six priests giving of their commitment, time and talents for the unity and up-building of the community throughout South Africa, consolidating vision and action in order to move into the new millennium as a strong community, committed to Christ. Financially, the community was stabilised with the pledge system, and elimination of outstanding debts. Many remodelling projects to upgrade existing facilities were accomplished, and others initiated. Many activities have been implemented to reach the community outside Johannesburg. Parishioner attendance over this period has increased from about 600 to approximately 2500 at the end of the period, and looking forward to further increasing this number through the implementation of empowerment of the laity through children, teens, youth & adult formation and education. 2001-2004-May 2008, His Eminence Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir visited again the Lebanese Community in South Africa, and He consecrated the new Maronite church and shrine, Our Lady of Lebanon in Mulbarton, Johannesburg.

SS WARATAH 27 July 1909 Sunk off the Transkei Coast, near East London On board was Rev. Fr Emmanuel El-Fadle Our First Maronite Priest On his return to Lebanon Centennial of the First Maronite Priest in South Africa 1905 – 2005 Rev. Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle The history of the Lebanese Community goes back to the late 19th century, when the first immigrants arrived in Johannesburg, the biggest city in the Transvaal coming from Sebhel, Mesyara, Becharre, Hadath El-Joube, Maghdoushe and other places. It is recorded that in the year 1896 the first Maronite and Lebanese immigrants arrived in Durban, Cape Town and Mozambique, and congregated around their local Catholic Churches. The majority of the Lebanese immigrants were Maronite and were concerned about keeping their Maronite faith alive in a new country, they wrote to the Maronite Patriarch, insisting on a Maronite Priest to come to South Africa to continue their tradition and the Maronite Rite. In 1905, Patriarch Elias El-Hoyek, sent Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle to South Africa from Kfarhata–Elzawye, North Lebanon. A historical year for the entire Maronite Community in South Africa - Fr. Emmanuel El-Fadle was the first Maronite Priest to walk on South African soil. After time as a student in Rome and Paris, he began serving the South African community on both spiritual and social levels. He converted a building in Johannesburg into a church and residence. He left South Africa after 2 years. On his return to Lebanon he died, a victim of the ill-fated ship, Waratah, which sunk at Okeanos, no wreckage was ever found. In 1910, Fr. Ashkar arrived to build a church and a home for the priests. The Patriarch, then sent another priest to assist - Fr. Wakim Estphan. Fr. Ashkar returned to Lebanon and retired in 1928. The mission was then handed over to The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries. Fr. Yousef Juan, who was appointed as a temporary visitor, received instruction from the Patriarch and the General Superior for Fr. Yousef Moubarak to succeed him in serving the South African Maronite Community. The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries have since served in South Africa among other countries and continue in their mission in serving and assisting in the Maronite Rite.