Syrian Orthodox prelate criticizes congressman’s alleged remarks on kidnapped bishops

14/8/13

An Iranian media report that a US congressman had said that two kidnapped Syrian bishops are being held in Turkey prompted criticism from a Syrian Orthodox Church official.

The Al-Alam News Network reported that Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) told a British diplomat, who in turn told an anonymous source, that “armed groups affiliated to Istanbul Council and Muslim Brotherhood are holding both bishops in Turkey.”

“Every week some politician or some journalist pulls out some story on the two metropolitan bishops of Aleppo kidnapped,” said Bishop Bishop Matta Alkhouri, patriarchal assistant at the Syrian Orthodox patriarchate, the Fides news agency reported. “But so far they have always been unverifiable deductions.”

“The reality is that almost four months have gone by since their kidnapping and we do not who kidnapped them,” he added. “We pray that God will protect them: so far we have had no clue that could contradict the hope that they are alive and in good health. We would only like to find real and serious contacts with those who really know what we must do to favor their release.”

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