Two Syrian Catholic priests, identified as Fr. Pius Affas, 60, and Fr. Mazen Ishoa, 35, were kidnapped on their way to Mass Sunday in Mosul. Via Asia News:
The two priests were on their way to say mass in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in al-Faisaliya district, when they were taken. AsiaNews sources in Mosul say that until now there has been no claim of responsibility and recall that already their bishop Msgr. Basile George Casmoussa was kidnapped two years ago and later released.
Fr. Pius Affas, around 60 years old, was a fellow seminarian of Msgr. Casmoussa and a Bible studies professor at the seminary. He had been the director of the Arab language magazine “Christian thought” in the past. Fr. Mazen Ishoa is 35, and was newly ordained just a few months ago. He entered the seminary following his degree and on completion of military service.
Fears have risen in Mosul given that yesterday Ramadan ended for the Sunni Muslims, today for the Shiites. “It’s a delicate period because it is linked to sacrifice”. “So far – says a Catholic nun – Mosul has not been kind to Christians, but let us hope for the best”.
Pope Benedict XVI has appealed to the abductors to free the priests:
On the ninetieth anniversary of the Virgin’s apparition at Fatima, Benedict XVI launched a strong appeal for the release of two Iraqi priests kidnapped in Mosul, Iraq, and for peace throughout the region. “Every day, news continues to pour in from Iraq, - he told the 40 thousand people present in Rome to recite the Angelus and the hundreds of thousands listening in a live link up from Fatima – grave reports of attacks and violence, which shake the conscience of all who care for peace in the region. Among these reports – he added – I have learned today of the kidnapping of two good priests in Mosul, who are being threatened with death. I appeal to their abductors to immediately release these two men of religion”. Reiterating that “violence cannot resolve conflicts” the pope concluded with a “heartfelt prayer that they may soon be freed and that all those who are suffering may soon have peace”.
In October 2006, a Syrian Orthodox priest, Fr. Boulous Iksander, was kidnapped and beheaded in Mosul. Prayers for the safety of Frs. Affas and Ishoa.
UPDATE: Iraq: The Two Kidnapped Priests Still in Kidnappers' Hands
1 comments:
I am praying for the priests. They have to be very brave people to try to be Christian in a crap-hole like iraq.
Screw muslims. Screw their stinking prophet and their demon god.
I wished that the US would have let Saddam be. He knew what kind of people he was dealing with in that crap-hole.
Matter of fact, we should have helped him.
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