Iraqi archbishop freed unharmed less than 24 hours after kidnapping

Published: 2005-01-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Catholic archbishop was freed unharmed in Mosul, Iraq, less than 24 hours after he was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. Pope John Paul II thanked God for the happy ending to the ordeal, and the Vatican said no ransom was paid for the prelate's release. Syrian-rite Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa of Mosul was released Jan. 18 and was resting safely at his residence. Church officials said it was unclear whether the abduction was directed against the Christian community or was part of the general criminality in Iraq. Archbishop Casmoussa, 66, told Vatican Radio after his release that his captors had treated him well and freed him soon after they discovered he was a Catholic bishop. "I'm very happy to be back in the archbishop's residence, where many friends and faithful gathered to meet me," Archbishop Casmoussa said. "In general I can say I was not mistreated. The kidnappers were very friendly toward me. As soon as they learned that I was a bishop, their behavior changed," he said.

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