Two Catholic priests kidnapped in northern Iraq
By staff writers
15 Oct 2007
The Pope and human rights groups have joined calls for the release
of two Catholic priests who were kidnapped in Mosul, northern Iraq,
on Friday 12 October 2007, Syrian Catholic Church head Archbishop
Basile Georges Casmoussa has briefed reporters.
Father Pius Affas a 60 year-old Syrian priest from Mosul and Father
Mazen Ishoa, aged 35, a recently ordained, were on their way toa
service in a church in the suburbs, when they were snatched.
Reports say that the forcible siezure took place at around 16:00
local time. Both militants and armed criminal groups are reularly
involved in kidnappings in Iraq, effecting thousands of indigenous
people and a number of foreigners.
A Chaldean priest kidnapped earlier this years was released on 15
August. A bishop was kidnapped and released two years ago. Local
Christian communities have been hard pressed and have diminished
significantly through exile since 2003.
Pope Benedict XVI, head of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics,
appealed for the men's safe return following the recitation of the
Angelus (a traditional prayer of devotion to the Virgin Mary) at St
Peter's Rome on Saturday.
The two priests were travelling to the church of Our Lady of Fatima
in al-Faisaliya district when they were taken. There have been no
claims of responsibility yet
Fr Affas is a biblical studies professor at the seminary. He is a
past editor of the respected Arab language magazine 'Christian
thought'. Fr Mazen Ishoa was ordained a few months ago following
completion of a degree.
"I learned today that two priests from the archdiocese of Mosul
were kidnapped and threatened with death," the Pope declared. "I
call on the abductors to rapidly liberate the two clerics and I
reiterate that violence does not resolve the tensions."
"I pray to the Lord for their freedom, for peace and for all those
who suffer from violence," he added.
