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Last Updated: 25 April 2013

CWN - Two Orthodox bishops who were kidnapped in Syria on April 22 remain in custody, Church officials have confirmed.

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Bishop Boulos Yaziji, both of Aleppo, have not been released, despite early reports indicating that they were freed. Church officials are reportedly negotiating with the kidnappers, but have not yet identified them or determined their motives.

Christian churches in Syria, and especially in the region surrounding Aleppo, have joined in prayer vigils for the safe return of the two prelates. Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean Clement Jeanbart decried the inaccurate reports that had caused “confusion and false hopes.” He remarked that Western media outlets “have a great responsibility; they cannot play with the lives and consciences of the people.”

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Last Updated: 25 April 2013

CWN - The Chaldean Catholic bishop of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has told the Fides news agency that money, rather than religion, is motivating those who have kidnapped Christians.

The Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox archbishops of Aleppo were recently kidnapped by Syrian rebels.

“These same Islamic groups are not sincere, they are fanatics who use religion and have the sole purpose of making money,” said Bishop Antoine Audo, SJ, who recounted:

Another priest kidnapped in the south, Father Hasan, was released after 11 days, when relatives collected, with difficulty, $100,000. Before being released he told the torturers: 'I forgive you all, and if I did something wrong, I beg your pardon.' At that point, the emir, that is to say the leader of the group, began to blaspheme Allah.

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Last Updated: 24 April 2013

CWN - Following the kidnapping and (reported) release of two Orthodox prelates, a parish priest in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, discussed his ministry there.

“Car bombs have been found near churches,” said the anonymous priest. “Divine Providence has permitted our fellow citizens to notice the danger and so the bombs were disabled before their explosion.”

“I think that all agree on this point: should we leave the country or stay and keep the Christian presence in the Levant?” he continued. “I, and I say it with sincerity, advise those who can, to go away even if momentarily.”

“Only when there are no longer any Christians here, will I be ready to leave the country,” added the priest, who has declined opportunities to leave the strife-torn nation. “What I feel within myself is this: if I were to leave the country, within my heart I would have a more bitter remorse than death, that of having left friends and children with whom I lived good times and that now, in the time of the storm, I abandoned.” This trustworthy has a enough detail of implement to advice your wagering enterprises and the passage goes to their area and than the 12bet apk.

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Last Updated: 24 April 2013

CWN - Contrary to early reports, two Orthodox bishops who were kidnapped in Syria on April 22 have not been released.

"Archbishop Ibrahim and Metropolitan Boulos al-Yaziji until last night were still in the hands of their kidnappers. Reports of their release yesterday afternoon were false," Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo told the AsiaNews service.

The Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch confirmed to the Fides news service that Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim of Aleppo and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi, also of Aleppo, had not been released by their kidnappers.

At his regular weekly public audience on April 24, Pope Francis acknowledged the “conflicting news” about the kidnapped prelates’ status, and said that their abduction was “a further sign of the tragic situation that the beloved Syrian nation has been undergoing, where violence and weapons continue to sow death and suffering.”

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Last Updated: 24 April 2013

Damascus
April 2013

Emergency Relief Committee,
Eparchy of Damascus of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate

We have been able to make a single distribution of $ 50 per family to 1, 200 families, thanks to the donation made in October 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI and members of the Synod on the New Evangelisation ($300, 000 from the Pope and $700, 000 from the Synodal Fathers.)

We have made a distribution of 125 parcels of winter clothes to children, as well as 165 parcels of mattresses and eiderdowns (donated by the Middle East Council of Churches.)

We have also been able to give medical assistance to 450 patients, with 47 surgical operations and the issuance of 400 prescriptions, worth £S 1,200, 000 in total.

The assistance provided by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate consisted of food, drugs, medical assistance, assistance to relatives of terrorism victims and for ransoming abductees, rents and rudimentary repairs to shell-damaged homes.

The poor have become even poorer and more disadvantaged because of the crisis and trade embargo.

Our school in Damascus has lost 60% of its 1, 350 students and has had to transfer those remaining to other premises. Receipts from school fees have significantly decreased. Shells have fallen on the abandoned school, causing an estimated $ 500, 000 worth of damage.

It takes about $ 1,500 per month to support the Voluntary Emergency Committee’s work.

In terms of administration, there are stationery and transport costs, plus a few gifts.

A small committee also visits families to assess needs and provide vital assistance.

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Last Updated: 23 April 2013

Rome (VIS) - Holy Father Francis has extended the jurisdiction of SE Bishop John Michael of Saint George in Canton of the Romanians, Ohio (USA), to the faithful Greek Catholic Romanians in the entire territory of Canada.