ASIA/SYRIA - Father Jallouf Hanna has been released

Aleppo (Agenzia Fides) - Father Hanna Jallouf OFM, the Franciscan parish priest kidnapped on the night of Sunday 5and Monday, 6 October by a group of armed militants of the jihadist faction Jabhat al-Nusra has been released. This was confirmed to Fides Agency by Bishop Georges Abou Khazen, Patriarchal Vicar of Aleppo for the Catholics of the Latin rite. "We know that he is well, and this is important - says Bishop Abou Khazen - but there is no news of the release of the men who were kidnapped with him". The four women who had also been kidnapped had already been released yesterday. A brief statement issued by the Custody of the Holy Land informs that the pastor has been placed under "house arrest" at the Convent of St. Joseph, in the village of Knayeh. Local sources told Fides that the measure was ordered by the Islamic Court. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 09/10/2014)