Jesuit Priest Who Refused to Leave Syria Is Assassinated in Homs

Homs, Syria, April 7, 2014

    

Dutch priest Frans van der Lugt was shot and killed outside of his home in Homs, Syria, on Monday. Van der Lugt, 75, famously refused to leave Homs when the Syrian government siege of the rebel-friendly city began two years ago. He had said that he would not leave the city while Christians still lived there.

Jan Stuyt, secretary of the Dutch Jesuit Order, confirmed his death to the AFP: "A man came into his house, took him outside and shot him twice in the head. In the street in front of his house," he said. In other words, it seems likely that van der Lugt was directly targeted. The Syrian government has blamed "terrorists" for the priest's death, while various opposition groups working in the city have blamed the government.

Van der Lugt was a Jesuit, as is Pope Francis. In a statement, the Vatican addressed the priest's death:

"[van der Lugt was] a man of peace, who with great courage, had wanted to remain faithful, in an extremely risky and difficult situation, to the Syrian people to whom he had dedicated, for a long time, his life and spiritual service."

Van der Lugt moved to Syria in 1966, and lived in a Jesuit monastery in the city. He repeatedly refused opportunities to evacuate the city, even as recently as this February.

8 апреля 2014 г.

Смотри также
70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 70,000 Christians killed for their faith in 2013 According to the statistics of the previous year, 100,000 Christians were killed in 2012. The situation in 2013 has not become less dramatic. Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Two Christians beheaded in Idlib in Syria Islamists from "DAASH" ("The Islamic State of Iraq and Great Syria") have beheaded two Christians detained by them—Armenians from the village of Deir Hassan (al-Dana, Idlib). Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Young Christian killed and beheaded by jihadists Islamist groups have killed and beheaded a young Christian man, seriously wounding another. Syrian Orthodox archbishop: Christian increasingly being targeted by rebels Syrian Orthodox archbishop: Christian increasingly being targeted by rebels Syrian Orthodox archbishop: Christian increasingly being targeted by rebels Syrian Orthodox archbishop: Christian increasingly being targeted by rebels A leading Syrian Orthodox archbishop told Fox News that Christians are increasingly coming under attack by Syrian rebel factions. Rakka Christians: we do not have a right to say, Rakka Christians: we do not have a right to say, "leave me alone!" Rakka Christians: we do not have a right to say, Rakka Christians: we do not have a right to say, "leave me alone!" In its weekly column, "Voices from the net", the FRANCE 23 Arabic French TV channel showed an interview with a resident of the Syrian town of Rakka (Ar Raqqah, Racca), who told about the new phase of persecution of Christians by Muslim extremists. After Iraq gains, Qaeda offshoot claims Islamic After Iraq gains, Qaeda offshoot claims Islamic "caliphate" After Iraq gains, Qaeda offshoot claims Islamic After Iraq gains, Qaeda offshoot claims Islamic "caliphate" An offshoot of al Qaeda which has seized territory in Iraq and Syria has declared itself an Islamic "caliphate" and called on factions worldwide to pledge their allegiance, a statement posted on Islamist websites and Twitter said on Sunday.
Комментарии
Здесь Вы можете оставить свой комментарий к данной статье. Все комментарии будут прочитаны редакцией портала Православие.Ru.
Войдите через FaceBook ВКонтакте Яндекс Mail.Ru Google или введите свои данные:
Ваше имя:
Ваш email:
Введите число, напечатанное на картинке
Храм Новомученников Церкви Русской. Внести лепту