Pola Ayoub Matta Usama Shafik Akhnoukh

Pola Ayoub Matta Usama Shafik Akhnoukh (born 19 February 1971) is an Egyptian Coptic Catholic hierarch who has served as the Bishop of Ismaylia since 2023. Additionally, he serves as the Apostolic Visitor for the Coptic Catholic faithful in the United States and Canada.

Biography Early life and priesthood Pola Ayoub Matta Usama Shafik Akhnoukh was born on 19 February 1971 in Asyut, Egypt. He obtained a bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Arts at Assiut University. He was ordained a priest on 27 June 2002 for the Eparchy of Asyut by Bishop Kyrillos William.

Episcopacy Following his election by the Synod of Bishops of the Coptic Catholic Church, Pope Francis confirmed his appointment as the Bishop of the Eparchy of Ismaylia on 31 March 2023, succeeding Daniel Lotfy Khella. He received his episcopal consecration on 11 May 2023 at the Cathedral of Saint Mark in Ismailia. The principal consecrator was Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, the Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, assisted by several co-consecrators from the other Catholic Churches sui iuris.