Muslim Leaders Launch Appeal for Iraqi Archbishop's Release

(11 Mar 08 – RV) A deadly silence, that is how Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk has described the lack of any news on the whereabouts and well being of Archbishop Rahoo, kidnapped over 12 days ago outside a Church in Mosul Iraq. The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop suffers from a serious heart condition and his captors have persistently rejected mediators requests to speak to him. Today in Kirkuk, 15 Muslim religious leaders gathered in Archbishop Sako’s residence to launch a fresh appeal for Msgr. Rahoo’s release. John Pontifex spokesperson for Aid to the Church in Need has been in constant contact with Church leaders in Iraq. He spoke told Emer McCarthy that they are sadden by apparent indifference to this blatant attack on one of the most influential religious figures in Iraq…