05/23/2013, 00.00
SYRIA - JORDAN
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Jordan’s Catholics march in silence for release of Syrian Orthodox bishops

A candlelight vigil yesterday in Amman. Initiative was attended by hundreds of people. The march is a message of solidarity with the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Greek-Orthodox and the Syrian Orthodox Church. The kidnap of Msgr. Yohanna Ibrahim and Msgr. Boulos Yaziji afflicts not only Christians, but also secular society and Muslim.

Amman (AsiaNews) - With a silent candlelight vigil bishops and leaders of Christian churches in Jordan and lay Catholics have condemned the kidnapping of Archbishop. Yohanna Ibrahim and Msgr. Boulos Yaziji, exactly one month ago and remembered Fr. Michel Kayyal (Armenian Catholic) and Fr. Maher Mahfouz (Greek-orthodox), the two priests kidnapped in February last.

In a statement, the religious leaders affirm that "the permanence of the two prelates in the hands of their kidnappers is unacceptable not only because it is an attack on their lives, but especially for the shock and pain caused among the faithful under their care".

For the representatives of the Jordanian Churches both prelates are "persons of high intellectual ability who love their country and who carry out their spiritual mission with a spirit of moderation." These two bishops did not limit themselves to the work within their diocese, but have also written books where believers and intellectuals have found spiritual nourishment and stimulus for thought. "Their permanence in the hands of their kidnappers - continues the statement - also halts the activity of two of the most important Christian Arab personalities of our time."

For the bishops, the march is a message of solidarity with the Greek-orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch of the, represented by Patriarch Yohanna X Yazij, and the Syrian Orthodox Church, represented by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, expressed in the invitation to prayer for these two Sister Churches and for Churches worldwide not to cease in their advocacy and prayers for the release of the two bishops. (S.C.)

 

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