Pope appeals for release of priest kidnapped in Baghdad

Published: 2006-08-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI appealed for the release of a Chaldean Catholic priest who was kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, just after celebrating Mass Aug. 15 for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "His Holiness makes a heartfelt appeal to the abductors to release the young priest at once so that he can return to the service of God, the Christian community and his countrymen," said a message sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, to Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad. Masked kidnappers forced Father Saad Sirop Hanna, 34, to stop his car, then they took him away, Vatican Radio reported Aug. 18. Father Hanna works at St. Jacob Parish in Dora, one of Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods. Father Philip Najim, the Rome-based representative of the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Baghdad, confirmed the report. As of Aug. 21, there still was no news about Father Hanna, Father Najim said.

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