Syria: Murdered priest was gunned down for his faith

Father Hovsep Hanna Bedoyan, at a recent parish event

Source: ACN/CSW/Twitter

An Armenian-Catholic archbishop has spoken out about the murder of a priest of his Church which ISIS (Daesh) claimed responsibility for.

Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need about the attack that killed Armenian-Catholic priest Father Hovsep Hanna Bedoyan on Monday (11th November), together with his father, and injured a deacon, Armenian-Catholic Archbishop Boutros Marayati of Aleppo said: "The war in Syria is not yet over. We continue to feel the presence of ISIS".

ISIS took responsibility for the killing just hours after the murder.

Father Bedoyan was travelling to Deir Ezzor with his father Ibrahim Hanna Bedoyan, a deacon, and a layman to monitor repair work on the Armenian-Catholic Church of the Martyrs when they were attacked.

Archbishop Marayati said: "We are trying to rebuild the church and the houses of the Christians who used to live there, so that they can return to the city."

Speaking about the murders, he said: "Shortly before they arrived at Dei Ezzor, two armed men on a motorcycle overtook their car and opened fire. The father of the priest was killed instantly, while Father Hovsep Hanna died later, outside the hospital in Hassake."

The deacon was wounded while the fourth person, a layman, was able to escape.

An investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.

Archbishop Marayati said: "So far we don't know who killed him, although it appears that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. What we do know is that Father Hovsep was dressed in his priestly attire and was consequently recognisable as a priest, in addition to the fact that his car was clearly marked, in large letters, with the words 'Armenian Catholic Church'.

"Hence it is entirely plausible that Fr Hovsep was murdered because he was a priest and because of his efforts to re-establish the Christian presence in Deir Ezzor."

Archbishop Marayati described how Deir Ezzor is a vital city for Armenian Christians. He said: "This is a very important town for us because it is here that many of our martyrs were killed as they fled the Turkish genocide of 1915. Today there are no Armenian Catholics left there, but undoubtedly the Turks don't want us to return because our presence would be a reminder of the Armenian genocide."

The funeral of Fr Bedoyan and his father took place yesterday (Tuesday, 12th November) at St Joseph's Church, Qamishli at noon local time.

According to the Archbishop, the city is experiencing tension because of ongoing clashes between Turkish and Kurdish forces.

He said: "The situation is chaotic. There are Turks, Kurds, Americans, Russians. Just yesterday there were three explosions. Christians are afraid - with every new outbreak of violence, many families are deciding to emigrate. Before the war, there were 5,000 Armenian Catholics and five churches in Qamishli. Today, they are just 2,000, and only two churches remain open."

Archbishop Marayati appealed to the international community through ACN, saying: "All we are asking is that this war should end, but that will not be possible if people continue to help the terrorists and send arms to Syria."

He added: "I beg you to pray for us and for our people, because at present we are living through extremely difficult times."

Pope Francis expressed solidarity with the Armenian Catholic Christians in Qamishli over the murders "I am close to Armenian Catholics of Qamishli, in Syria, as they gather for the funeral of their parish priest, Father Hovsep Bedoyan, who was killed yesterday together with his father. I pray for them, their families, and for all Christians in Syria", Pope Francis tweeted.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, congregation and loved ones of Father Hosseb Bedoyan. We also wish a swift and full recovery for the deacons injured in the attack. We urge the Turkish government to halt its military aggression in Northeast Syria and focus its efforts on combatting the surge in extremism and terrorism, which is affecting every community in the region. We also call on all international, regional and local parties involved in the Syrian conflict to engage positively in the UN-led peace process in order to achieve a sustainable political solution to the conflict."