PRAYERS ANSWERED: Abducted Syrian Catholic Priest freed

Father Dhiya Aziz is finally released after being kidnapped by Jihadist groups in Syria

Syrian priest, Father Dhiya Aziz has finally been liberated, after being abducted from the Christian village of Yacoubieh in Northwest Syria on July 4. Catholics are celebrating after their prayers have been answered, following the release of their priest from Jihadist militants.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The Custody of the Holy Land announced last week that Father Dhiya Aziz, 41, a Franciscan Parish Priest in Yacoubieh went missing and was allegedly kidnapped by Jihadist militants. Aziz has now been released from captivity, causing the Catholics in Syria to celebrate.

Syrian Catholics are relieved, after days of praying for Aziz's safety. Custody of the Holy Land revealed that it is very rare for a religious leader to be freed after being abducted by Jihadist militants. The priest is also believed to be in good health, according to the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights.

Father Dhiya Aziz was speculated to be abducted by the Nusra Front militants, who control the Northwestern areas in Syria. However, the Al Qaeda-affiliated group "denied any involvement in his kidnapping and allegedly led the police investigation in neighboring villages which led to his liberation."

Several speculations continue to surface upon the release of the Franciscan priest. Reports that a different Jihadist group abducted the priest from the original captors are making rounds over the Internet. The second abductors, the ones who lead police to the liberation of the priest, are believed to be eager to profit from Aziz's release.

Prior to Aziz's abduction, two militants went to the parish where the priest goes to get his medications for diabetes and other undisclosed ailments according to reports.

That detail "bodes well, because it confirms that Dhiya father is alive and will be able to deal with his health problems," Fides reported last week.

Church officials are very happy with the safe release of Aziz and are requesting more prayers for other Christian figures who remain in the captivity of terrorists. Syrian Orthodox Bishop Gregorius Yohanna Ibrahim, Greek Orthodox Bishop Boulos Yazigi and Jesuit Father Paolo Dall'Oglio are believed to be abducted by Syrian militants and have remained missing since 2013.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online