Iraq: Abducted nuns and orphans found safe

Sister Utoor Joseph & Sister Miskintah - image: Ishtar TV

Two nuns and three orphans in their care, who were abducted in Mosul on 28 June by Islamic militants. have been released today, Monday 14 July. According to the Chaldean Patriarch, no ransom was paid for their release, all are in good physical health and they were treated well during their abduction.

Daughters of Mary Sisters Miskintah and Utoor Joseph disappeared on 28 June close to the Chaldean Monastery of Maskenta in Mosul. The sisters live and work in an orphanage attached to the monastery. They were accompanied by two girls and a young boy from the orphanage. It is widely assumed that they were held by militants from the extremist group ISIS that seized control of Mosul and surrounding areas in early June.

Chaldean and other church leaders continue to express grave concern for the future of Iraq's Christian communities. Other non-Sunni communities in areas controlled by ISIS also fear for their future. In recent days there have been reports of atrocities against Yazidi communities, the appropriation of land belonging to Christians and members of other minority communities, and the further removal of statues and religious symbols.

Source: CMEP

See earlier report: ICN 6 July 2014 Iraq: Fate of missing nuns and orphans still unknown www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25090