Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is one of the Roman Catholic "patriarchs of the east". The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is the oldest of Eastern Catholic Patriarchates, and the only one that still follows the Latin Rite.In 1054, the Great Schism separated the Christian Church. The Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and the other three Eastern Patriarchs formed the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Patriarch of Rome formed the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1099 Jerusalem was captured by Crusaders, inaugurating the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which endured almost 200 years. A Roman Catholic hierarchy was established in the Kingdom under a Latin Patriarch. With the destruction of the Kingdom in 1291 the Latin Patriarchate was no longer needed, however the church continued to appoint honourary Patriarchs who were based at St. Lawrence outside the Walls Basilica in Rome.
In 1889, the Ottoman Empire allowed the Catholic Church to re-establish its hierarchy in Palestine. The Patriarch of Jerusalem is now the leader of Roman Catholics in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Most Roman Catholics in this region are Palestinian Christians. The current Patriarch is Michel Sabah, the first Palestinian to hold the post.
List of Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem
(Jerusalem lost in 1187; seat of the Patriarch moved to Acre)
- (Vacant 1191-1194)
- Aymar the Monk (1194-1202)
- Soffred (1202-1204)
- Albert Avogadro (1204-1214)
- Raoul of Merencourt (1214-1225)
- Gerald of Lausanne (1225-1238)
- (Vacant 1238-1240)
- Robert of Nantes (1240-1254)
- Jacques Pantaléon (1255-1261)
- William II of Agen (1261-1270)
- Thomas Agni of Cosenza (1271-1277)
- John of Versailles (1278-1279)
- Elijah (1279-1287)
- Nicholas of Hanapes (1288-1291)
