Ist. del Prado
Msgr. Jean-Marie Chami was born on 14 May 1962 in the city of Beirut, Lebanon. After his high school studies with Les Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes, he continued his studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Musicology. He also exercised the profession of architect for several years. He then began the process of preparation for the priesthood, carrying out his studies in philosophy at the Institute of the Paulist Fathers in Harissa, Lebanon, and in theology at the Seminary of the Prado in Lyon and in the Faculty of Theology of Freiburg. Since his ordination, on 8 December 1996, he has held the following offices: parish priest and subsequently bursar of the archeparchy of Beirut, and syncellus, engaging in particular in the pastoral care of the differently abled. In 2003 he joined the Priests of Prado, of which he is currently superior for the Middle East. He speaks French, English and Arabic, and understands Italian; he also knows sign language for the deaf-mute.