The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Archbishop Rahho Found Dead :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

Persecution News - Iraq

Update: Mother of martyred sisters dies
(November 26, 2008)

Two Christians killed in Mosul
(November 12, 2008)

Christian killed, hundreds forced to flee in Mosul
(October 15, 2008)

More Christians killed in Mosul
(October 08, 2008)

Christians killed in Mosul
(September 24, 2008)

Priest Killed
(April 09, 2008)

Archbishop Rahho Found Dead
(March 19, 2008)

Archbishop Kidnapped in Mosul
(March 05, 2008)

More Churches Bombed
(January 16, 2008)

Churches and Convents Bombed
(January 09, 2008)

Iraq Profile

Total Area:
437,072 sq. km

Population:
28,221,181 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or Other 5%

Language:
Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman, Assyrian, Armenian

Religion:
Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or Other 3%

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital:
Baghdad

Population Below Poverty Line:
Not Available

Country Reports

Archbishop Rahho Found Dead

March 19, 2008

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The Voice of the Martyrs was saddened to learn that the body of kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop Paulus Faraj Rahho was found in a shallow grave outside the city of Mosul on March 13. He was kidnapped on February 29 after leading prayers at the Holy Spirit parish in Mosul. Three of his aides were killed in the abduction.

Church officials in Mosul reportedly had received a phone call from the kidnappers on March 12 informing them that the archbishop was dead and where they could find the body. It is not immediately clear whether the archbishop was killed or died of natural causes. 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 his abductors.

Over the last eight months, attacks on Iraqi Christians have been escalating. In June, Father Ragheed Gani and three deacons were killed, two priests were kidnapped in October, and in January four churches and a convent were bombed.

Pray that Archbishop Rahho's co-workers and congregants will find strength, courage and peace in Christ. Ask God to raise up other cross-bearing disciples to continue His work in Iraq (Matthew 16:24).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iraq, go to the Iraq Country Report.