Kidnapped archbishop in Iraq. 10 days and counting.

And there's still no word of him. Local Bishop criticizes media for "scant coverage" of the kidnapping. And he's right about that. I would add that the Pope's not exactly knocking himself out, either.

"What has happened here with Archbishop Rahho goes totally against the way we are used to resolving the kidnapping of clergy. It raises the question – is he still alive?”

FEARS are growing that an Iraq archbishop seized at gunpoint may be dead after discussions with his kidnappers reached deadlock.

More than 10 days later, the kidnappers have still refused to allow negotiators on behalf of the Church to hear Archbishop Rahho on the telephone and have trebled their ransom demand to US$3 million.

For Church leaders who have grown used to negotiating the release of kidnapped clergy, the signs are ominous.

Speaking this morning in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Andreas Abouna of Baghdad said: “Day by day we are getting more and more worried.

“We want is to hear his voice – to know that he is safe.”

He went on: “What has happened here with Archbishop Rahho goes totally against the way we are used to resolving the kidnapping of clergy. It raises the question – is he still alive?”

Bishop Abouna’s comments echo those of Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk, northern Iraq, who on Friday (7th March) said:



“Either the archbishop is sick or injured or he has been killed and the kidnappers just want to get as much money as possible.”

The archbishop described the people’s worry for the archbishop. “Really, this is a kind of mourning time,” he said.

“There is nothing from the archbishop – no sign. We don’t know where we are heading with this process – the future is totally unknown.”

There is still no news about the identity of the kidnappers. Archbishop Sako said some details had emerged but could not reveal them “for security reasons”.

He added: “I was thinking that they could be criminals, or that they are just out for money. Now I am thinking something quite different.” He added: “They are organised people.”

Bishop Abouna went on to criticise the media for scant coverage of the kidnapping.
“Nobody in the West is saying anything about the archbishop – the whole thing is being ignored by everyone except the Holy Father and the Church.”

He renewed the call for prayer for the archbishop’s release. “We do not know what to say. All we can do is to keep on praying – to be patient and to trust in God.”

The comments of both Bishop Abouna and Archbishop Sako contrast sharply with the optimism of a week ago.

Back then, Bishop Abouna said the hierarchy were “full of hope” for Archbishop Rahho’s release.

Pope Benedict XVI has made repeated appeals for Archbishop Rahho’s release, stating on Sunday, 2nd March before the crowds at the Angelus prayer at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome: “I express my closeness to the entire Church in Iraq… which has once again been dealt a serious blow.

“I encourage all of the pastors and faithful to be strong and firm in hope.”


I continue to pray for the Archbishop's safety and prompt release. Just like I am still praying for the release of the Mystery CBS journalist kidnapped in Basra on February 10. The last google piece I can find on him this passing mention in an article about an anti-violence protest in Iraq dated March 8.