21 November, 2009 A A A | | |
Help AsiaNews | About us | P.I.M.E. |
go to front page




Voli Low Cost Roma
Voli Milano



China | Islam | Economy | Freedom of religion | Vatican
e-mail this to a friend printable version


» 10/14/2007 17:37
IRAQ
Two priests kidnapped in Mosul while travelling to say mass
Still no claim of responsibility for the kidnapping of Pius Affas and Mazen Ishoa, for whom Benedict XVI launched an appeal today.

Rome (AsiaNews) – They were on their way to say mass in a church in the suburbs, when they were kidnapped, yesterday afternoon around 4 pm.  That is all that is known of  father Pius Affas an elderly Syrian Catholic priest from Mosul and the young priest Mazen Ishoa, only just ordained, for whom Benedict XVI today launched an appeal following the recitation of the Angelus.

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”.


e-mail this to a friend printable version

See also
10/16/2007 IRAQ
Angst over two missing priests in Mosul, captors suspend contacts
10/14/2007 VATICAN
Pope appeals for the release of kidnapped priests and peace in Iraq
10/21/2007 IRAQ
Priests kidnapped in Mosul are freed
10/18/2007 IRAQ
Abducted priests in Mosul, bishop slams government indifference
10/15/2007 IRAQ
Mosul: Syro-Catholic priests still in the hands of their captors

Dossier

Editor's choices
CHINA - VATICAN
Underground bishop: I joined the Patriotic Association for the good of the Church
by Zhen Yuan
Mgr. An Shuxin says he was not pressured by the Vatican for his choice. In front of the division created in the diocese of Baoding, priests and experts are asking the Vatican and China to free the ordinary Bishop Su Zhimin, , in prison for the past 13 years.
PAKISTAN - EU
Blasphemy in Pakistan and the European Court’s attack on the crucifix
by Bernardo Cervellera
Launched today from Rome the European leg (France, Holland, Belgium, Germany) of a campaign to raise awareness in Church and society of the plight and oppression of minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian one, due to the blasphemy law. A most unusual unity of purpose joins Islamic fundamentalists and European relativists.
CHINA – VATICAN
In Hebei, underground bishop joins Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association
by Bernardo Cervellera
Mgr Francis An Shuxin spent ten years in police custody. Now he is free but still under surveillance, dragged around to meetings to show the correctness of the government’s religious policy. Three bishops remain in police custody. A priest is arrested whilst two are freed to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. The Vatican is accused of ambiguities.

Copyright © 2003 AsiaNews C.F. 00889190153 All rights reserved. Content on this site is made available for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce, republish, sell or otherwise distribute the content or any modified or altered versions of it without the express written permission of the editor. Photos on AsiaNews.it are largely taken from the internet and thus considered to be in the public domain. Anyone contrary to their publication need only contact the editorial office which will immediately proceed to remove the photos.