Kidnapped Syrian Catholic Priest is freed - Vatican Radio

[Path_Finder]

Kidnapped Syrian Catholic Priest is freed

(Vatican Radio) Father Jacques Murad, a Syrian Catholic priest who was kidnapped five months ago by Islamic States militants in central Syria has reportedly been freed. Father Murad is Prior of the Monastery of Mar Elian and pastor of the community in Qaryatayn, 60 km southeast of Homs.

It’s not yet known the circumstances surrounding his release.

Father Murad is now said to be in the village of Zaydal about 5 kilometers from the city of Homs.

He is said to be in good health.

The priest belongs to the community of Mar Musa El Habashi, founded by Jesuit Father Paolo Dall’Oglio kidnapped July 29, 2013 in al Raqqa, the current stronghold of the Islamic state.

en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/10/11/kidnapped_syrian_catholic_priest_is_freed/1178469

It’s amazing people are even staying there and in addition that ransoms in many of these cases, sadly are paid.

But thank God he has been freed unhurt.

This facebook page to pray for him had been set up:

facebook.com/PrayingForFatherMourad

 

[detoutcoeur]

Thank you for posting this wonderful news. There’s also a thread in Prayer Intentions:

Pray for Father Jacques Mourad

 

[ringil]

That’s great news. I am happy and surprised that ISIS would release this priest.

Praise God.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Praise God he is free. I will pray he will remain safe.

 

[tawny]

Thank God.

 

[Path_Finder]

I am rather sure I saw that Catholic Herald has an article on this, sometimes I am puzzled at which of their articles and the other news bots get posted. Maybe they saw this thread already addressed the issue, who knows?

 

[Path_Finder]

I think a few articles on this have been published, I’m not sure if this information was previously posted:

After spending several months in captivity, the priest managed to escape on a motorbike with the help of a Muslim friend, wearing a disguise. He said that 40 other Christians too were able to flee from the Daesh, which is an acronym for Ad-Dawlah al-Islāmiyah fī 'l-ʿIrāq wa-sh-Shām, or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in English.

Read more at World Religion News: “Kidnapped Priest Gets a Little Help from a Muslim Friend & Escapes ISIS” worldreligionnews.com/?p=19677

He attributes his escape to a miracle brought about the Virgin Mary and is grateful for all those who prayed for him.

Here is hoping, others in captivity will find their freedom.