On Friday, 29 February, gunmen kidnapped the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul in northern Iraq and killed his driver and two guards.
Pope Benedict XVI has deplored the kidnapping of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, calling it a “despicable” crime and has urged the gunmen – who according to news reports are demanding a ransom of €1.8 million – to free the prelate unharmed.
The pope has asked Christians and people of goodwill everywhere to join his fervent prayer that reason and humanity may prevail and that Archbishop Rahho may be returned as soon as possible to his flock. The pontiff has also renewed his hope that the Iraqi people will “rediscover the path to reconciliation and peace”
“These violent acts are an attempt to encourage Iraqi Christians to flee their homeland, ” said Carl Hétu, CNEWA Canada’s national secretary. “And they also remind those who have fled not to return home. ”