[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF FATHER IBRAHIM IBRAHIM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Father Ibrahim of St. 
Elias Church in Cleveland, OH, on the 10th anniversary of his 
ordination into the priesthood.
  Father Ibrahim was born in a small village in South Lebanon. There, 
he attended school and entered the Seminary of Saint Savior of the 
Basilian Salvatorian Order. He took his first religious vows in 1980, 
then moved to Jiita to start his college education.
  In 1984, he was sent to Rome to continue studying philosophy and 
theology. On November 3, 1985, he took his perpetual vows. After 
returning to Lebanon to receive his deaconal ordination on July 9, 
1987, and his ordination to the priesthood on July 18, 1987, he 
continued his studies in Rome, specializing in moral theology.
  Father Ibrahim overcame the obstacles of war and worked to educate 
future priests in Lebanon for 2 years as the director of the seminary 
of his order. In 1991, he was assigned as pastor of St. Elias Church in 
Cleveland, OH. Since his arrival, he has been appointed protopresbyter 
for the midwest region for the Diocese of Newton and was awarded the 
Interfaith Commission Award by Bishop Anthony Pilla.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in recognizing Father Ibrahim in 
his efforts to promote Christian unity and interreligious dialog. The 
parishioners of St. Elias and the city of Cleveland are lucky to have 
such a positive and dynamic force in their midst.

                          ____________________