Syria: Franciscan priest taken away by jihadists

Fr Dhiya Azziz

Concerns are growing for the safety of a Franciscan Iraqi priest, Fr Dhiya Azziz, parish priest of the Syrian village of Yacoubieh, who was taken away on Saturday, 4 July, by men from a jihadist organization that control the region.

Father Dhiya was picked up by a brigade who said they had to take him to a short meeting with the Emir who exercises authority in the region which is currently under the rule of the Al-Nusra Front - the Syrian arm of al-Qaida.

Later, two militants were sent to the parish to get the friar's medication. He has diabetes and other health problems.

Local sources say the fact that the militia collected the medicines is a positive sign as it confirms that Fr Dhiya is alive and will be able to manage his health problems. But the community say they don't know why he was taken away.

Father Dhiya Azziz, voluntarily chose to go to serve the Latin parish of Yacoubieh, in Idlib province two years ago. The area has been in the hands of jihadist for a long time. While the priests and religious of other Churches and Christian communities have all left the area, the parishes in the village of Yacoubieh and the nearby village of Knayeh are being cared for by the Franciscans who are keeping the churches open for the few hundred remaining Christians.

Fr.Dhiya has always tried to keep out of political and military issues. He offered his pastoral service to his parishioners and encouraged them to support the many Muslim refugees who have been arrived in the Christian villages.

Last October, another Franciscan priest, Fr Hanna Jallouf, pastor of the Church of St Joseph, from the nearby village of Knayeh, was taken away by jihadists of the al-Nusra Front , along with some parishioners, but they were all returned safely within a few days.

Everyone is praying that Fr Dhiya will also be returned soon.

Source: Fides/ICN