African bishop kidnapped, released
June 06, 2011
A bishop in the Central African Republic was kidnapped by rebel forces on June 2 and soon released.
Bishop Edouard Mathos was abducted as he traveled to a village to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. “Although he knew that several rebel groups operate in the area, the bishop did not pull back, despite the risks, in order to continue his pastoral work,” a local source told the Fides news agency.
After a few hours, the bishop was released, though the kidnappers kept his car and cell phone and did not release his driver. Bishop Mathos, said the local source, “is safe and sound, and is protected by the local people” of the village.
The nation of 4.1 million is 24% Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.
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