AP Photo / Courtesy of Rev. Amer Youkhanna
Chaldean Catholic archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho poses by St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Nov. 2007.
ORIGINAL POST - Feb 29, 2008
Ankawa Online reported Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Bishop of Musul was kidnapped this afternoon. Bishop Rahho was kidnapped when he left his home after attending Stations of The Cross at The Holy Spirit Chaldean Church in Mosul. His driver and two bodyguards were killed at the scene by unidentified kidnappers.
This is another setback to the dwindling Iraqi Christian community in Mosul. Last year, they lost Fr. Ragheed. They say, God doesn't give people more than they can take. I'm not sure how much more they can take. I'm yearning for peace in Iraq. But peace had turned its back on my native country a long time ago.
UPDATE I - March 13, 2008
The terrorists who control the streets of Mosul didn't spare the life of Bishop Rahho. Their bloody spirit turned bloodier with the murder of Bishop Rahho.
Thanks to the American invasion, which turned Iraq into a nightmare. Another mission accomplished.
UPDATE II - March 16, 2008
Below are reflections on the life and death of Bishop Rahho by Baghdad Hope:
Light a candle for Mgr. Faraj Paulus Rahho.
Touching remembrance of Mgr. Faraj Rahho.
Funeral mass in Karamles for Mgr. Faraj Paulus Rahho.
Karamles: another day of mourning.
Karamles: symbol of the fate of Iraqi Christians.
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."
Don't blow out the candles for Mgr. Rahho!
Death of Mgr. Rahho: tears and pain in Erbil.
Mgr. Faraj Pauls Rahho is dead!
UPDATE III - March 16, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI addressed the Iraqi people during the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican {Via Zenit):
At the end of this solemn celebration in which we have meditated on Christ's Passion, I would like to recall the late Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, who tragically died a few days ago. His beautiful witness of fidelity to Christ, to the Church and his people, whom he did not want to abandon despite numerous threats, moves me to cry out forcefully and with distress:
Enough with the bloodshed, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in Iraq! And at the same time I make an appeal to the Iraqi people, who for five years have endured the consequences of a war that has provoked upheaval in its civil and social life:
Beloved Iraqi people, lift up your heads and let it be you yourselves who, in the first place, rebuild your national life! May reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and respect for the civil coexistence of tribes, ethnic groups and religious groups be the solidary way to peace in the name of God!
