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Kidnapped Iraqi archbishop dead Kidnapped Iraqi archbishop dead
(30 minutes later)
Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of the Iraqi city of Mosul, who was kidnapped last month, has been found dead near the city. An archbishop seized by gunmen last month in Iraq has been found dead.
An Iraqi police officer and morgue official confirmed reports that the archbishop's body had been found buried near Mosul, where he had been abducted. The body of Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul, was found in a shallow grave close to the city.
The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI was profoundly moved and saddened by Archbishop Rahho's death. Pope Benedict XVI said he was profoundly moved and saddened, calling the archbishop's death an act of inhuman violence.
He was kidnapped soon after he left Mass in Mosul on 29 February. Archbishop Rahho was kidnapped not long after he left mass in Mosul, in northern Iraq, on 29 February.
Shallow grave
According to the SIR Catholic news agency, the kidnappers told Iraqi church officials on Wednesday that Archbishop Rahho was very ill and, later on the same day, that he was dead.According to the SIR Catholic news agency, the kidnappers told Iraqi church officials on Wednesday that Archbishop Rahho was very ill and, later on the same day, that he was dead.
Church workers went to the area where the kidnappers said he was buried and found his body in a shallow grave. IRAQ'S CHALDEAN CHRISTIANS 550,000 Chaldeans, forming majority of Iraq's ChristiansEastern-rite Church with liturgical language, Syriac, descended from AramaicAutonomous from Rome but recognises Pope's authoritySpiritual leader Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly, based in Baghdad class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7271828.stm">Who are the Chaldeans? However, Iraqi police say the condition of the archbishop's body suggests that he may have died at least a week ago.
IRAQ'S CHALDEAN CHRISTIANS 550,000 Chaldeans, forming majority of Iraq's ChristiansEastern-rite Church with liturgical language, Syriac, descended from AramaicAutonomous from Rome but recognises Pope's authoritySpiritual leader Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly, based in Baghdad Who are the Chaldeans?Iraqi Christians' long history
It is not clear whether he was killed, or died of natural causes. Nobody has claimed responsibility for his death.It is not clear whether he was killed, or died of natural causes. Nobody has claimed responsibility for his death.
The archbishop's body was found by church workers who went to the area after being contacted by the kidnappers.
'Horrible crime'
The archbishop, 65, was the latest in a long line of Chaldean clerics to be abducted in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.The archbishop, 65, was the latest in a long line of Chaldean clerics to be abducted in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.
Three people who were with him at the time, a driver and two guards, were killed by gunmen. Many Christians in Iraq have left due to insurgent attacksThree people who were with him at the time, a driver and two guards, were killed by the gunmen.
Appeal
Only last Sunday, Pope Benedict had appealed for the archbishop's release.Only last Sunday, Pope Benedict had appealed for the archbishop's release.
Many Christians in Iraq have left due to insurgent attacks A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "The most absurd and unjustified violence continues to afflict the Iraqi people and in particular the small Christian community, whom the Pope holds in his prayers in this time of deep sadness.
A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "The most absurd and unjustified violence continues to afflict the Iraqi people and in particular the small Christian community, whom the Pope holds in his prayers in this time of deep sadness". "This tragic event underscored once more and with more urgency the duty of all, and in particular of the international community, to bring peace to a country that has been so tormented."
"This tragic event underscored once more and with more urgency the duty of all, and in particular of the international community, to bring peace to a country that has been so tormented," he added. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said those behind the kidnapping would not escape justice.
It was, he said, a "horrible crime" by "a criminal, terrorist gang".
The Chaldeans are the largest sect within Iraq's Christian community, which was estimated at 800,000 before the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.The Chaldeans are the largest sect within Iraq's Christian community, which was estimated at 800,000 before the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Many have left their homes after attacks linked to the continuing insurgency.Many have left their homes after attacks linked to the continuing insurgency.
Baghdad blastBaghdad blast
Earlier on Wednesday, a car bomb in the capital Baghdad was reported to have killed at least seven people, and wounded at least 20. Earlier on Wednesday, a car bomb in the capital Baghdad killed at least 12 people, and injured dozens more.
According to AP, the bomb was in a parked car in Tahrir Square, a central commercial district just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses much of the Iraqi government and the US embassy. Police said the bomb was in a car parked in Tahrir Square, a central commercial district just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses much of the Iraqi government and the US embassy.
The attack is the latest in a series in Baghdad, following several months of relative calm.The attack is the latest in a series in Baghdad, following several months of relative calm.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you a Chaldean - or any other religious minority - in Iraq?Have you been affected by this story? Are you a Chaldean - or any other religious minority - in Iraq?
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