Pope Francis's bishop for Syrian refugees in Canada has family ties to Liberal MP

The federal government's commitment to fast track the resettlement of 25,000 Syrian refugees caught the attention of Pope Francis who has appointed a new bishop to Canada.

The Vatican announced the appointment of Rev. Antoine Nassif from Lebanon as its first apostolic exarch to lead Syriac Catholics in Canada earlier this year.

The recently ordained bishop happens to be a distant cousin of Liberal MP Eva Nassif, who represents the riding of Vimy in Laval, Que.

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Nassif said the new bishop will make it his priority to assist the large number of refugees who have fled theconflictin Syria to find peace inCanada.

Laval was chosen as the new bishop's home because it's one of the communities resettling many of the Syrian refugeesand their families, the Liberal MP said in a phone interview with CBC News on Thursday.

Nassif, who was also born in Lebanon, said shedidn't know the two were related until a couple of priests from Saint-phrem parish in Laval called during an overseastrip to Beirut where they attended the bishop's ordination.

"They called me from Lebanon to tell me that the bishop was trying to reach me," Nassifsaid.

"He wants to talk to you, he knows you, he knows your family," one of thepriests told her, much to her surprise.

The Liberal MPsaid she met the new bishop for the first time after his arrival to Canada acouple of weeks ago ahead of hisinauguration ceremony last week.

Saint-phremchurchwas packed this pastSunday during an official ceremony for thenew bishop who was welcomed by hisaunt who lives in Canada,the Liberal MP, extended members ofher family, and members of other religious communities.

According to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops,the new exarchatefor Canadahas seven parishes and missionswith a Catholic population of 16,000 served by five priests and two deacons.

The MP forVimymade her excitement known by posting some pictures of her and the new bishopon social media.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaudid not attend the inauguration ceremony in Laval but did sendthe new bishop a message through his MP.

"It is with immense pleasure that I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Monseigneur Paulos Antoine Nassif on the occasion of his appointment as the Apostolic Exarchate for Syriac Catholics in Canada," Trudeau said in a written statement that was read at the ceremony on Sunday.

Nassifannounced the new bishop's appointment during a statementin the House of Commons prior to question period last Thursday.

"Canada's contribution to this humanitarian crisis has not gone unnoticed and I am very pleased to collaborate with MonseigneurNassifto help the Syrian community inVimy,"Nassifsaid.

The Liberal MP lives in Laval with her husband and three children who are triplets. The two boys and one girl are 20 years old.

Nassif said shelost her dad and brother in the Lebanese Civil War before she immigrated to Canada in the 1990s.

Her mother and twin brothers live in Canada, and she has a sister in Lebanon.

Nassif ran in two previous elections before she was elected to Parliamentin 2015.