as Archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and all Galilee. The main city of his diocese is Haifa, the great city of northern Israel. He was consecrated a bishop in the church of Saint Elias in Ibillin and his enthronement in the Haifa Cathedral was broadcast by the Melkite Ecumenical television station "Noursat" which originates in Beirut, Lebanon. Chacour is vice president of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. On 27 January 2014 Pope Francis announced that he had accepted a request from Archbishop Elias Chacour to retire as Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee. The resignation came after he was questioned by Israeli authorities in relation to a charge of sexual harassment and indecent assault. Views and opinions An advocate of non-violence, Chacour travels often between the Middle East and other countries around the world. In addition, many visitors, fact-finding missions, and pilgrims have come to Ibillin. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts he has received honors including the World Methodist Peace Award, the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, the Peacemakers in Action Award from the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, and the Niwano Peace Prize (Japan) as well as honorary doctorates from five universities including Duke and Emory. In 2001 Chacour was named "Man of the Year" in Israel. In 2001, Chacour gave an address at commencement at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he accepted an honorary degree. An excerpt from his speech: From a 9 February 2006 speech regarding becoming Archbishop of Galilee: Awards Chacour is the winner of the Niwano Peace Award and has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Published works Chacour is the author of two best selling books, Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. Blood Brothers covers his childhood growing up in the town of Biram, his development into a young man, and his early years as a priest in Ibillin. This book has been translated into more than twenty languages. His second book, We Belong to the Land, recounts his work in the development of Mar Elias Educational Institutions, from humble beginnings to major schools for educating Palestinian young people and for helping to bring about reconciliation in a land of strife. This book has been translated into 11 languages. See also Boutros Mouallem Political theology in the Middle East References External links Twelve Days to Jerusalem website Biography of