Bishop Salim Gazal
Melkite archbishop, Basilian Salvatorian monk, and advocate of dialogue and peaceA religious leader from Machghara who devoted decades to social service, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding.
Biography
Salim Gazal was born in Machghara on 7 July 1931. He entered religious life and devoted many years to serving the communities of Sidon and southern Lebanon.
He became known for social work and for turning Muslim-Christian dialogue into daily practice, especially during periods of conflict and displacement. His initiatives supported education, humanitarian relief, and reconciliation.
Gazal received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award in recognition of his work. He died on 29 April 2011, leaving a legacy centred on coexistence and service to people.
In 1966, together with Gregory III Laham and Archbishop George Kwaiter, he helped establish Providence Home at Salhiyeh near Sidon as an orphanage and vocational school serving boys from different backgrounds.
He served as Superior General of the Basilian Salvatorian Order and later as Titular Archbishop of Edessa and a patriarchal auxiliary, while remaining active in southern Lebanon’s relief and reconciliation initiatives.
In 2007 he received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award for decades of Muslim-Christian cooperation and support for people displaced or harmed by Lebanon’s civil war.
Notable Contributions
Served religious and social institutions in Sidon and southern Lebanon for more than four decades.
Promoted Muslim-Christian dialogue and received an international peace award.
Co-founded Providence Home, an orphanage and vocational institution near Sidon.
Held senior monastic and episcopal responsibilities and received the Pacem in Terris Award in 2007.