Breaking: Kidnapped Iraqi bishop dead Update: Murdered
posted at 10:55 am on March 13, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Chaldean bishop Paulos Faraj Rahho died while being held by kidnappers, both the Vatican and Iraq have announced. Rahho’s abductors buried the body and notified the Iraqi authorities of his death, although they didn’t say how the chronically ill Rahho died. An autopsy has been ordered:
The kidnappers had telephoned to inform the Baghdad prelate that Rahho, who was in poor health, had died and that they had buried him, the Italian Roman Catholic Church’s SIR news agency reported, quoting the auxiliary archbishop of Baghdad, Shlemon Warduni.
“The kidnappers had told us already (Wednesday) that Monsignor Rahho was very ill, and yesterday afternoon they told us that he died. This morning, they telephoned us to say they had buried him,” Warduni said, adding that the kidnappers indicated the location of the body.
“We still don’t know whether he died from his poor health or was killed,” Warduni said. “The kidnappers only told us that he was dead.”
The archbishop is the highest-ranking Christian cleric to have died while being held by kidnappers in Iraq.
It’s unfortunate, and it points out that even with the significant progress being made, Iraq still has its dangers. The abduction of Rahho seems particularly heartless, considering his health and his mission in Iraq. Once his poor health had become known, one would have expected the kidnappers to have understood the liability of holding him for any time at all.
More will be known after the autopsy. Rahho may have died from natural causes, but the stress of the kidnapping couldn’t have helped, either — and it may be murder as well. In either case, pray for the bishop and the rest of Iraq.
Update: Rusty at My Pet Jawa updates the story:
The apparent kidnappers had contacted relatives on Thursday and told them the body was in the eastern part of town. Relatives and authorities went to the location and found the body, which had gunshot wounds.
Profiles in jihadi courage: executing a sick old man who only wanted to promote peace and understanding in Iraq.
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Praying for the bishop. Have never stopped praying for Iraq. Non muslims are especially at threat over there (yes, I know everyone is).
mimi1220 on March 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
The bishop is surely with the angels and this is bad news for the kidnappers if they were hoping to further the cause. The death of a bishop while in their hands is no small thing.
Vatican Watcher on March 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Just imagine if some Mullah was kidnapped by coalition forces…and the same circumstances happened. There would be world-wide riots.
Absolutely. Troops, clergy, contractors, and the Iraq people are always in my prayers. Of course, this kidnapping of an RC Bishop is in complete contrast to last December, when Islmaic Iraqis helped rebuild a Christian Church, and called for Christians to come back.
JetBoy on March 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Christian martyr vs. Muslim martyr. The difference is instructive.
John on March 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Rahho is a martyr for Christ.
RIP until the morning of his resurrection.
Islamic kidnappers are murderers.
CIA directed USA foreign policy never aids ancient Christian populations, but in fact promotes their demise.
maverick muse on March 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM
The Pope will issue forgiveness to the kidnappers and declare an extra collection at Sunday mass……I’m too cynical.
The Pope will admonish the kidnappers, then forgive them. the extra collection stays.
BL@KBIRD on March 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Yes Ed, Godspeed.
L
letget on March 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Just another example of Satan working through his Islamic minions. A true man of peace, weakened by age and bad health murdered by the “Religion of Peace”.
This Bishop is a true witness and martyr for God, unlike the cowardly trash that killed him.
Nothing new here, Muslims have been killing the heads of Christian communities since their religion was invented.
Hening on March 13, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Was he picked because he was a Christian or because they thought they could get money from his followers. Either is wrong. I wonder what the Koran says about kidnapping?
TooTall on March 13, 2008 at 11:15 AM
ha ha catholics ha ha pope ha ha money
tlynch001 on March 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
One more time: is the severed hostage fingers story insignificant?
corona on March 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Ya beat me to it, H.
Alden Pyle on March 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Welcome to the true islam. The kidnappers are obviously part of islam’s reformation, getting back to the roots of their religion. Honor killings, slavery, subjugation of the “infidel”, female circumcision, suicide bombings, terroism. What a great religion. What a great founder. Can’t wait for sharia to be the law of the world.
oldguy on March 13, 2008 at 11:30 AM
You, sir, are ignorant, anti-Catholic jackass.
This is some forum for you to spew your crap. Hope you feel better about yourself, you stupid pr*ck!
kcluva on March 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
…. Amen.
Seven Percent Solution on March 13, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho is the definition of courage and faith. He went to Iraq as a Catholic, unarmed, and in poor health for a humanitarian mission. He had to know that the deck was stacked against him. He is a credit and example to all who are Christian and practice the Catholic faith.
natesnake on March 13, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.
A J on March 13, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Where is the seething…where are the car swarms? Oh, that’s right…he was not involved in the Religion of Peace.
ihasurnominashun on March 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Martydom
AbaddonsReign on March 13, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Ed Morrissey,
It is incredibly brave to be Roman Catholic and even live in Iraq. He was a target the moment he stepped foot in the country. I do not know how long he has been there but he was brave to be there non-the-less.
Now with that been said, I must say this. I mean no disrepect when I say this but prayers for Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho will not help. If he was ready to stand before God by putting his faith only in the finished work of Christ to atone for his sins then he will need no prayers.
Pray for his surviving relatives.
Pray for his captors. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to their wickeness. Pray that the true Gospel message will be presented to them. Pray that they repent of their sins and trust in the sufficency of only God’s saving power.
Pray for peace in Iraq.
shick on March 13, 2008 at 12:22 PM
non-the-less=none-the-less
shick on March 13, 2008 at 12:23 PM
The CNN report says “gunshot wounds” were found on the body but gave no indication if these were suffered during the actual abduction or at the time of his death
Son of Sam Kinison on March 13, 2008 at 12:25 PM
What goes around comes around.
Indy Conservative on March 13, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Requiescat in pace, good and faithful servant.
I know that the Christian virtue is forgiveness, but I think we should convene and put that on standby, for the time being. Some people I simply do not have the power to forgive.
emailnuevo on March 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
oh boy here it comes…
tlynch001 on March 13, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Here’s the official Vatican press release (its in Italian, sorry):
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/21826.php?index=21826&lang=en
Same basic info, not really anything new except the Pope reaffirming his stance against violence that affronts the dignity of humanity.
darclon on March 13, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I will continue to pray for the repose of Archbishop Rahho’s soul. God bless him and all the people he served so loyally and faithfully.
Mulligan on March 13, 2008 at 1:22 PM
If I’m wrong I will apologize. If I am right, I don’t expect an apology from your righteous lips.
BL@KBIRD on March 13, 2008 at 2:04 PM
There are many religions in the world, but only one religion of peace!!!
pueblo1032 on March 13, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Rest in peace, padre.
tree hugging sister on March 13, 2008 at 2:31 PM
It is in only Christ’s blood that was shed that can “repose” or put peace between God and man. Not the church itself for which His blood was shed for. I recommend you read Paul’s book to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 4:2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath,’They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.
and
Hebrews 9:12-14 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify[f] for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
and
Hebrews 10:11-14 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
shick on March 13, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Sick and disgusting as it is, it’s not even the worst they’ve done.
OneGyT on March 13, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Could you tell us what would be valid jihadi “courage”?
This is, at best, *a* jihadi tactic (they have many more as we have seen)…
mycowardice on March 13, 2008 at 3:13 PM
You just knew some loser like shick would have to stick their fat ugly nose into this thread.
corona on March 13, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Yeah, just remember what they did last year,
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703209.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7oDBIjbldw
Rather surreal to see the archbishop in the video about the executed priests.
darclon on March 13, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Sick murderers — they testify to the importance of the mission and brining swift justice to such slime.
Rest well Bishop Paulos Faraj Rahho
Richard Romano on March 13, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Recently the rate of Christian martyrdom has skyrocketed…over 175,000 christians are martyred annually for their beliefs.
“All these are the beginnings of sorrows. Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted,and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake”. Matthew 24:8-9
We are in the end times my friends.
“And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many”. Matthew 24:11
Hear that mormons?
Do not be deceived. There is only one God…the Triune God of the Bible…Yahweh. You can never make it into heaven through good works, but only through the repentance of sins and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ(God’s one and only son)into your lives and trusting him like you trust a parachute you jump with!
Only then will you receive God’s grace and be able to share in the gift of everlasting life.
Without Christ all are bound for eternal torture and suffering in hell!
Everyone of us has sinned against God.
No man is perfect and fit to stand before God by his own works. Only God is good.
Repent and turn away from your sins…accept Christ into your life and trust Him. Pick up the Word (the king james Bible) and study it. There is not much time left!
SaintOlaf on March 13, 2008 at 5:12 PM
May God Rest his Soul and comfort his family.
Zorro on March 13, 2008 at 5:19 PM
shick,
Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was born in Mosul on November 20, 1942. He was Iraqi born and an Iraqi citizen at the time of death. A true Iraqi Christian martyr.
As for BL@CKBIRD, Captain Ed, as one fellow Catholic to another, can’t we do something about him? I have already scraped the dust off of my sandals onto a copy of his post, but I somehow feel a greater need.
unclesmrgol on March 13, 2008 at 8:12 PM
shick,
Archbishop Rahho was born in Mosul on November 20, 1942. He was a son of Iraq all his days, so the day he “set foot” in Iraq was probably as a baby taking his first steps.
As for BL\@CKBIRD, Captain Ed, as one fellow Catholic to another, can’t we do something for his poor wit?
unclesmrgol on March 13, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Sorry for the double post. The “cachefly” software hotair is using appears to be misbehaving under Firefox 3. Yet another bug to file.
unclesmrgol on March 13, 2008 at 8:21 PM
You touchy Catholics should direct your anger at the kidnapper/killers of the Archbishop.
If I chose to criticize the Pope for his pathetic weak kneed response to aggressive Islam, I will certainly do so.
I’m an ex Catholic , so I’m not surprised with your calls for censorship. It makes you sound like whining Muslims. Grow up.
BL@KBIRD on March 13, 2008 at 8:57 PM
And he is a “loser” because….? Because he does not follow the Roman Catholic “party line,” perhaps?
If you don’t like his posts, ignore them.
(Hint: Your ad hominem attack belies hatred, which, last time I checked, is not a virtue. ;-) )
sanantonian on March 13, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Thank you for the information on Archbishop Rahho and the website. I plan to use it. Your presented story is interesting and sad.
Did you perhaps get a chance to read Paul’s letter to the Hebrews? I will pray that the Holy Spirit will convict you of its power.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
shick on March 13, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I don’t think anyone minds. :)
shick on March 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Convert, accept subjugation, or die.
Why should anybody be surprised that he died?
{^_^}
herself on March 14, 2008 at 4:34 AM
There is NOTHING “courageous” about a Goddamn Jihadi. I will personally challenge ANY OF THEM, ONE ON ONE, MAN TO MAN: THEY ARE ALL COWARDS!!!!!
jimbo2008 on March 14, 2008 at 8:00 AM