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Homs (Agenzia Fides) – The kidnapping of 150 Greek-Catholic faithful has shocked the Christian community in the village of Rableh, between the Lebanese border and the city of Qusayr, in the province of Homs. We are talking about workers and farmers, men, youth and women, who were just a few kilometers from the village, working in the fields for the apple harvest, a major source of livelihood for the local population. The Catholic Abou Fadel, the father of one of the victims, contacted by Fides, said he heard gunfire and blasts, "so we went to see what was happening. We saw lots of vans and pick-ups that brought people away. In the fields there were only boxes with the apple harvest left". Abou Fadel reports that "this region has for months been completely under the control of armed gangs who boss around. In the past few weeks we could not take care of the trees in the fields for lack of security. Then, thanks to a deal initiated by the governor of Homs, the situation looked better." The man continues: "I am very worried. My son is among the kidnapped and many young people in our family have disappeared. Why? What do the kidnappers want? We fear for their fate. We are a peaceful village, close to the shrine of the prophet St. Elijah, a place worshiped by Christians and Muslims. We desire only to live in peace with everyone." The Greek-Catholic Patriarch of Damascus, Gregorios III Laham, was informed of the incident, "he begs God to help the innocent and poor." The Patriarch launches an appeal: "I call on all parties to respect the civil people and save innocent lives." Some Christian leaders are trying to contact NGOs and international organizations to ask for assistance in this tragic situation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/09/2012). Kidnappings [news.va]

Lord, have mercy! Father, send Your holy angels to protect, console and strengthen Your children, who have been so wrongfully taken captive. Grant that their faith may be steadfast and unwavering, so that even their captors may see Your truth shining through them, and repent of this evil deed!

Syria: Gregory III Laham announces release of kidnapped Greek-Catholics
“Vatican Radio” has reported the statement by the Greek-Catholic Patriarch of Damascus

vatican insider staff
Rome
9/25/2012
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/e...rticolo/siria-gregorios-iii-laham-18417/

All 240 Greek Melkite faithful who were kidnapped today near the Syrian village of Rableh, situated between the Lebanese border and the city of Qusayr, in the Syrian province of Homs. Gregory III Laham communicated the news to Vatican Radio.



The patriarch explained that the reasons for the kidnapping are not yet clear: “There is a large community of Greek-Catholic faithful in Rableh, they are the majority: there are Marronites and Alawis. The Alawis are the main sore point. There is a tendency to get Christians involved in order to make the problem a religious one and create a civil war between the various communities.



This is what we must avoid at all costs. We patriarchs, bishops and politicians must do all that we can to prevent a civil war and a war among brothers.”



The patriarch said this was a way of exploiting religion and this episode was an attempt to involve Christians, above all, in order to resolve problems between the various non-Christian communities, dragging Christians into the problems that exist between Muslims.”

Thanks be to God, the Father Almighty!

Ugh, this really has to be something that needs to be addressed, and soon, before things get too out of hand. Look at Egypt, too, and the Coptic Orthodox, don't you think the same thing happened to them with the Muslims there?

I mean, jeez, it just seems like the Middle East is trying to become a one-religion part of the world, and that we really can't accept. It's like in that part of the world "If you're not muslim, not converting to muslim, you're better off imprisoned or dead." That's just how they are. We need to show them why Christianity is just as important to that part of the world as ever. It's not going to be an easy fight, but somehow, we will definitely prove that we are here to stay.

I don't get why these things have to happen for the worst. I mean, sure Islam might mean Peace, but the "peace" they are bringing nowadays, why would we need war?

Most insidious of all is the Muslim "aid" to the Sudan: Aid is given ONLY to Muslims.

A Christian who seeks food, water, or medecine must convert or do withoug.

8IronBob:

There are some websites that talk about the conditions of living under Islam--dhimmitude. Islam is NOT a religion of peace. It is a cultural, religious, and politcal system meant to place the whole world under "submission" to their god. Read the translations of the Koran. It and the interpretations of it talk of forced conversion or the payment of a special tax for the privilege of being different. Christians and Jews have no rights; they cannot testify in an Islamic court because their word is no good.

But, please, don't use the words "Islma" and "peace" in the same sentence. That creates an oxymoron.

Bob

So where are we now? It was 8 years ago when I was interrogating at Abu Ghraib and made a remark disparaging the "religion of peace" that someone here threatened to remove me! I was seeing and hearing it every day!

I hear you.My deacon posted something about recent attacks on Americans and Christians in parts of the world right now.Some woman promptly chastised him for being a man of the cloth promoting hatred.She said something to the effect that one ought to able to "put the face of Christ" on the Islamists he was "attacking".
My response to him was that one can put the face of Christ on Stalin and Hitler,but that doesn't erase the fact that both were responisble for the death of millions.

Hmm, I can only imagine what the face of Christ on Osama Bin Laden would have been like.

Does anyone have information about Myrna and her husband Nicholas who are in Soufanieh (Damascus)?

To "put the face of Christ" on a monster who commits or endorses mass murder and who has no regard for Christ and His Church would be to create a blasphemous idol.

I'm sure that the woman responding to Fr.Deacons facebook message was trying to imply that not all Moslems are evil and that,in fact,they are men,like you and I,created in the image and likeness of God.I'm sure not all Moslems endorse attrocities.I'm certain that not all German or Sviet citizens endorsed or condoned the evils of Hitler and Stalin,but enough of them either went along,or were silent,thus enabling them.