Iraqi Archbishop Found Dead

We at The Voice of the Martyrs were shocked, saddened, and angered today to learn of that the body of kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop Paulus Faraj Rahho had been found just outside of Mosul earlier today.  The church in Mosul reportedly had received a phone call from the kidnappers on Wednesday telling them that the archbishop was dead and where they could find the body.  Church officials are saying that the body was in an early stage of decomposition, suggesting that the archbishop died a few days ago, and that it was found partially buried under a thin layer of dirt.  We will have to wait to find out if he died of natural causes or was killed.  There had been considerable concern for his health as he suffered from heart problems that required daily medical treatment. Nevertheless, the responsibility for this church leader's death must lie with those who kidnapped him on February 29.  We urge Iraqi officials to make every effort to catch and prosecute the guilty parties.

Join us in praying for his family and for his co-workers and congregants in Mosul.