CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 20, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI appealed for the release of an Iraqi Chaldean priest, kidnapped at gunpoint in Baghdad.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, sent the appeal Saturday in the Pope's name to Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly. Father Saad Syrop Hanna of St. Jacob Parish in Baghdad's Doura district was on his way home Tuesday from celebrating Mass in the parish church when his car was stopped by three masked gunmen who forced him into their car.
In the message, the Holy Father "makes a heartfelt appeal to the abductors to release the young priest at once, so that he can return to the service of God, the Christian community and his countrymen." The Bishop of Rome at the same time expresses his concern for "all the victims of abduction in your country and prays that this dreadful scourge, as well as the 'terrible daily bloodshed which delays the dawn of reconciliation and rebuilding,' will finally come to an end."
Benedict XVI encouraged "the members of the Catholic community to continue to work together with all religious believers and people of good will toward a future of harmonious and respectful coexistence for the beloved nation of Iraq." The message also expressed to "the beloved Chaldean Church" the Pope's "spiritual closeness" and "prayerful solidarity." According to the Missionary International Service News Agency, the abductors demanded a high ransom for the priest's release.
3 comments:
Lets pray that for the release of the priest.
Indeed.
Or a work of the Holy Sirit on his captors ... which would lead to his release AND joy in the presence of the angels of God over repentant sinners.
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