Catholic Bishop Kidnapped - Please Pray

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho (right), Archbishop of Mosul, was kidnapped on Friday. He had just left Holy Spirit Cathedral in Mosul after celebrating the Via Crusis (Way of the Cross). 3 men, including his driver, who were with him were killed during the kidnapping. He is believed to be in the hands of terrorists. Because of the timing it is suspected that it was premeditated according to a Vatican communiqué.

The communiqué also said the following: "Saddened by this new abominable act, which profoundly affects all of the Church in the country, and in particular the Chaldean Church, the Pope expresses his closeness to the patriarch, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, and all of the afflicted community, as well as the relatives of the victims.

The Pontiff invites the universal Church to unite in fervent prayer so that reason and compassion prevail in the kidnappers and Archbishop Rahho is given back as soon as possible to his flock."

The Chaldean Catholic Church uses the East Syrian Rite. It calls the Divine Liturgy or Mass the Holy Qurbana or Qurbana Qadisha (ܩܘܪܒܢܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ) meaning the "Holy Offering" or "Holy Sacrifice".