VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See is following closely the situation of two kidnapped priests from Iraq, missing since last Saturday.
Vatican Radio reported Thursday that Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, said: "We are doing everything possible, and the Pope has as well, launching an appeal for their liberation last Sunday in the Angelus.
"Moreover, we are awaiting information to see what can be done through the apostolic nuncio."
The nuncio is in Baghdad and in contact with Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of Babylon of the Chaldeans.
Fathers Mazen Ishoa and Pius Afas were kidnapped by gunmen in the al-Thawra neighborhood.
Syrian-Catholic Archbishop Basilios Georges Casmoussa of Mosul told the missionary agency Misna that the new deadline set by the kidnappers for the payment of a $1 million ransom is Saturday.
ZE07101906 - 2007-10-19