The Maronite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch (Latin: Patriarchatus Antiochenus Maronitarum) is the seat of the Patriarch of the Maronite Church. It is currently governed by the Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, OMM.
The Maronite Church is one of several churches that lay claim to be the canonical incumbent of the ancient see of St. Peter and St. Paul in Antioch. The Syriac Catholic Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church make the same claim, all of them Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See. The three mutually recognize each other as holding authentic patriarchates. The Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and the Oriental Orthodox Syriac Orthodox Church claim patriarchates as well. Moreover, the Catholic Church appointed titular Latin rite patriarchs for many centuries, until the office was left vacant in 1953 and abolished in 1964 and all claims renounced.
