Syrian rebel soldiers kidnap 2 priests

February 15, 2013

Two Christian priests—one Armenian Catholic and the other Greek Orthodox—have been kidnapped by Syrian rebel soldiers.

Armenian Catholic Archbishop Boutros Marayati of Aleppo told the Fides news service that it was unclear whether the kidnappers represented the rebel forces or were renegades acting for themselves. Church officials are trying to establish contact with the kidnappers; to date no ransom demand has been confirmed.

Father Michel Kayyal (Armenian Catholic) and Father Maher Mahfouz (Greek Orthodox) were taken by armed men from a bus on the road from Aleppo to Damascus. The priests were the only passengers on the bus who were abducted.

 

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Further information:

• Priests kidnapped: the Church seeks contact with kidnappers (Fides)