Iraqi Christian monk ‘kidnapped in Syria by ISIS for the second time’

Islamic militants have abducted an Iraqi Franciscan monk for the second time, according to reports.

Jan 05, 2016

DAMASCUS: Islamic militants have abducted an Iraqi Franciscan monk for the second time, according to reports.

Fr Dhiya Aziz disappeared after setting out from Lattakia, a city in Syria, to return to his parish in Idlib province on December 23 in time for Christmas.

Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of the Holy Land, told Vatican Radio there have been no updates since Christmas Eve.

He said an army or rebel group have abducted Fr Aziz, and “God forbid he is killed.”

The Franciscan mission group Custody of the Holy Land said it had lost contact with Fr Aziz and added it “is reasonable to assume he has been kidnapped.”

This is not the first time Fr Aziz has been kidnapped.

The Iraqi priest was abducted last year on July 4. He was seized by militants in Yacoubieh and released after five days.

The group now fear he has been taken again while making his way back from Turkey to his parish.

Fr Aziz had been visiting family who took refuge in Turkey after ISIS took over their hometown of Qaraqosh in Iraq.

Fr Aziz, volunteered to serve the parish of Yacoubieh, in Idlib province, two years ago. The area has been in the hands of ISIS for years.

While most priests and religious of other Christian communities have left the area, the parish, and neighbouring village of Knayeh, are being looked after by the Franciscans.

In October 2013, Franciscan priest, Fr Hanna Jallouf, who looks after the parish in Knayeh, was taken by jihadists with parishioners.

They were all returned after a few days.--Catholic Herald

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