WCC NEWS: WCC encourages prayer for release of archbishops of Aleppo and others missing, detained and disappeared

As the ninth anniversary of the abduction of the archbishops of Aleppo approaches, World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca invited prayer for the safe return of the two religious leaders, as well as others missing amid conflicts and crises. 19 April 2022 Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi, were kidnapped by gunmen on 23 April 2013 when they were on their way back from the Turkish border to their city of Aleppo. “These beloved bishops have become iconic figures of all those innocent unjustly detained, tortured, and forcibly disappeared persons, reduced to silence and oblivion, not only in Syria and the region, but all over the world,” said Sauca. “In this time of prayer, reflection and celebration of Easter, we must keep in our prayers the bishops and all those others missing, detained and disappeared so that they are not forgotten and that appeals for their safe return are maintained and amplified.” WCC renews call for release of archbishops of Aleppo (WCC press release of 28 February 2022) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland