Syrian Priest Kidnapped by Islamic State Released after 5 Months

Source: ChristianHeadlines.com

October 14, 2015

A Syrian priest who was kidnapped by Islamic State militants has been released after five months as a captive.

The Christian Post reports that Father Jacques Mourad, a member of the Syriac Catholic Church and the prior of Mar Elian Monastery has been released by the Islamic State and has conducted his first mass since his kidnapping.

It is not yet known why Mourad was released, but Monsignor Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio in Syria, stated that Mourad will be on his way to Damascus in the next few days to provide details of his kidnapping, captivity, and release.

“Father Jacques Mourad was released on Oct. 10, and yesterday, at about 2 p.m., I spoke with him for the first time since his release,” Zenari said. “He told me he was resting, and in good health.”

Mourad had not been heard from since being kidnapped, but was recognized in an Islamic State video released in late September.

The video showed agreements being made between the Islamic State and Christians. The Christians were forced to sign a contract in order to continue living in their homes in the area, promising not to conspire against the Islamic State, erect crosses, use amplifiers, ring church bells, or conduct ceremonies in public places. In return, the Islamic State said it would not hurt them.

The Mar Elian Monastery, of which Mourad had been prior before his abduction, was destroyed by the Islamic State, and its founder, Jesuit Paolo Dall’Oglio, has been missing since July 2013.

ChristianHeadlines.com

10/15/2015

See also
Five Syrian Patriarch address an appeal to Christians and Muslims living in Syria Five Syrian Patriarch address an appeal to Christians and Muslims living in Syria Five Syrian Patriarch address an appeal to Christians and Muslims living in Syria Five Syrian Patriarch address an appeal to Christians and Muslims living in Syria
Stating that extremism is capable of distorting any religion, Syrian Patriarchs – Orthodox, Catholic, and Non-Chalcedonian – have addressed their flocks, calling upon them to maintain closer ties with the Muslims who are struggling with islamist ideologies. ISIS Destroys Assyrian Churches, Hostages Still Being Held ISIS Destroys Assyrian Churches, Hostages Still Being Held ISIS Destroys Assyrian Churches, Hostages Still Being Held ISIS Destroys Assyrian Churches, Hostages Still Being Held
ISIS has posted pictures, on its twitter accounts, of its members destroying the St. George Monastery in Mosul. Over 200 Christians held hostage in Syria Over 200 Christians held hostage in Syria Over 200 Christians held hostage in Syria Over 200 Christians held hostage in Syria
At least 220 Christians in northeast Syria have been taken hostage by the ISIS militants, reports Interfax-Religion with the reference to a report by the Supervisory Board for Human Rights in Syria.
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