Pope Repeats Impassioned Appeal for Iraqi Bishops Release

There is still no confirmed news from the Archbishop or his captors. However, there are reports of a ransom demand.

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI is appealing once again for the release of the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Iraq, kidnapped Friday.

The prelate was taken captive as he was leaving Mosul's Church of the Holy Spirit after participating in the Way of the Cross.

Three men who accompanied him, including his driver, were killed. Their funerals were held Saturday.

The Holy Father affirmed he is following this "dramatic event" with "profound sadness." He joined with "the call of the patriarch, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, and his co-workers, for the dear prelate -- who is also in very poor health -- to be released immediately."

"I also elevate my prayer of supplication for the souls of the three young people who were with him and were killed at the time of the kidnapping," the Pontiff said. "I express, moreover, my closeness to the entire Church in Iraq and in particular to the Chaldean Church, that have once again been dealt a serious blow, while I encourage all of the pastors and faithful to be strong and firm in hope.

"May the efforts of those who control the fate of the Iraqi people be multiplied so that, thanks to the commitment and wisdom of all, this people may again find peace and security, and the future to which it has a right not be destroyed."

Previously threatened

In statements made to the Missionary International Service News Agency, Monsignor Philip Najim, apostolic visitor for Chaldean Catholics in Europe, said that he was not "surprised" by the news of Archbishop Rahho's kidnapping: "Indeed, I can say that in a certain sense I expected it."

"Only a few months ago some men came up to him on the street, pointing a pistol at his chest," Monsignor Najim said. "[Archbishop Rahho] himself told me about it on his last visit to Rome."

For his part, Cardinal Delly, in an interview with L'Osservatore Romano, said that this kidnapping "will not prejudice the good relations between Christians and Muslims."

"Our friendship exists for centuries and it will continue," he added. "Those who kidnap do not have any religion of reference," but only "a clear message: create confusion in the country."

"The situation in Iraq, especially in Baghdad, Kirkuk and Mosul," the cardinal continued, " is not at all tranquil. There is a lot of tension among the people: Iraqis fear Iraqis. It is not a confrontation between Christians and Muslims. Certainly, Christians experience a difficult situation because we are a minority, but this should not cause us fear."

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"For the moment," the Chaldean patriarch said, "we have no news and no claims of responsibility from the captors. We only have a lot of fear, the people leave and go elsewhere. Prayer is our only consolation."

In January there was a series of attacks aimed at churches and convents in Kirkuk, Baghdad and in Mosul itself, which wounded four people and seriously damaged buildings.

Father Ragheed Ganni, a priest of the patriarchate of Babylon, and three subdeacons were killed outside Mosul's Church of the Holy Spirit last June 3.