Jordanian prince condemns kidnapping of Chaldean bishop in Iraq
ICC Note
“We condemn all acts of kidnapping and assassination as contrary to the basic precept of respect for human life and liberty. We are extremely saddened by the kidnapping of Archbishop Rahho and by any crimes committed against the Christian religious community in Iraq ,”
4 March 2008 Amman (ENI). Jordanian Prince El Hassan bin Talal, who chairs the board of trustees of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, has condemned strongly the kidnapping of the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul , Paulus Faraj Rahho, and the killing of three of his companions.
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The prince, who is president emeritus of the World Conference on Religions for Peace, was on 27 February named as the 2008 winner of the Niwano Peace Prize for efforts at building peace with justice in the Middle East , especially with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In Rome , Pope Benedict XVI had on 1 March called the kidnapping a “deplorable act, which is a powerful blow to the whole Church in the country”.
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“We condemn all acts of kidnapping and assassination as contrary to the basic precept of respect for human life and liberty. We are extremely saddened by the kidnapping of Archbishop Rahho and by any crimes committed against the Christian religious community in Iraq ,” said the Jordanian prince.
“The traditional Christian communities of this troubled country stand as a testament to the age-old respect for our brothers in faith, the people of the book, who have commanded our love and filial protection since the days of the Prophet [Muhammad],” said Hassan. “It shocks us greatly to learn of these crimes against those men and women who carry the Abrahamic message of love, peace and brotherhood. These holy men must not be made victims of conflict, nor should they pay a price for political quarrels under any circumstances.”
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