A Syrian priest who was kidnapped in May in the central province of Homs is free and on Sunday conducted his first mass since his abduction, a church source said.
“Father (Jacques) Mourad is free. He is currently in the village of Zaydal,” about five kilometres (three miles) from the city of Homs, the source told AFP.
The priest of the Syriac Catholic Church “celebrated mass this morning in Zaydal,” the source added, without providing details on how he gained his freedom, citing security reasons.
Mourad was abducted from the town of Al-Qaryatain in May by unknown gunmen as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group overran the nearby city of Palmyra.
In August, ISIS also seized Al-Qaryatain, kidnapping some 230 civilians from the town, including 60 Christians.
The group has also destroyed an ancient monastery in the town, which was once known as a symbol of coexistence in Syria.
Also Read
-
Iraqi strike kills ISIS leaders but not Baghdadi
Hospital sources and residents said ISIS head Baghdadi was not among the several Islamist leaders who were killed in Anbar Middle East -
Putin, Abu Dhabi crown prince meet to discuss Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the conflict in Syria with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan Middle East -
Putin: Russia will not deploy troops in Syria
Putin also said Russia does not want to get involved in an inter-religious war in Syria Middle East -
Russia accused over use of cluster bombs in Syria
Human Rights Watch said the cluster munitions were dropped on Kafr Halab on Oct. 4 Middle East -
Russia’s end-game in Syria questioned at Beirut Institute Summit
From the CIA’s David Petraeus to the ICC’s Fatou Bensouda, Putin’s objectives in Syria are called into doubt Features
