Pope appeal for abducted priest
19/08/2006 16:12  - (SA)  

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Vatican City - Pope Benedict has appealed for the release of an Iraqi Catholic priest kidnapped in Baghdad.

Father Saad Syrop Hanna of the Chaldean Catholic Church was abducted in the Iraqi capital on August 15.

Abductions of clerics are frequent in Baghdad but they are usually quickly released.

In a telegram sent in the Pope's name to the head of the Chaldean Church on Saturday, the Vatican's secretary of state said the Pope was "deeply saddened" by the abduction.

"His Holiness makes a heartfelt appeal to the abductors to release the young priest at once, so he can return to the service of God, the Christian community and his countrymen," read the telegram.

"The Holy Father's thoughts also go to all the victims of abduction in your country and he prays this dreadful scourge, as well as the terrible daily bloodshed which delays the dawn of reconciliation and rebuilding will finally come to an end."

The Chalean Catholic Church is an Eastern Rite church in communion with Rome.

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