Syria: gunmen steal property from ancient monastery

August 08, 2012

Gunmen have stolen property from a Syrian Catholic monastery that dates to the sixth century. The monastery had stood abandoned until an Italian Jesuit, Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, founded a community there.

“The gunmen stole everything they could steal” but no monks were injured, a source told the ANSA news agency.

Father Dall’Oglio was expelled from Syria in June after calling for greater democracy and respect for human rights.

 

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Further information:

• Syria: Christian monastery assaulted north of Damascus (ANSA Mediterranean)
• Modern-Day Pilgrims Find Interfaith Bond in Ancient Syrian Monastery (New York Times)
• Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian (Mar Musa) (Wikipedia)
• Italian Jesuit expelled from Syria (CWN, 6/21/12)