ASIA/SYRIA - Bishop Khazen confirms: a priest and twenty Christians of the village of Knayeh have been kidnapped

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Aleppo (Agenzia Fides) - "Unfortunately I have to confirm the news of the kidnapping of Father Hanna Jallouf OFM, Syrian parish priest in the village of Knayeh, who was kidnapped along with about twenty Christians". This is what Bishop Georges Abou Khazen O.F.M., Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo for the Catholics of the Latin rite reports to Fides Agency. "The collective seizure - adds Bishop Khazen - occurred during the night between Sunday 5 and Monday, October 6. At the moment we do not know who kidnapped them, whether they were groups of jihadis or others. We cannot contact anyone, and we have not been contacted by anyone. We only know that yesterday the monastery was looted, and other people of the village are hidding. Among those kidnapped there are young people, both boys and girls".
Knayeh is a Christian village in the valley of the Orontes in northern Syria, near the border with Turkey. The Friars Minor of the Custody of the Holy Land have been present in the Orontes Valley for over 125 years. Before the conflict began, the convent, the youth center, kindergarten and clinic, run by the Franciscan nuns, were, as they are today, the center of village life.
Father Jallouf animated parish activities, the oratory, summer events, the days of retreat and spirituality with enthusiasm (GV) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2014)


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