Gunmen steal property from ancient monastery in Syria

(Aug. 08, 2012) Gunmen have stolen property from a Syrian Catholic monastery north of Damascus, that dates back to the sixth century. The old monastery had stood abandoned until an Italian Jesuit, Fr.Paolo Dall’Oglio, founded a community there. Sources on Wednesday affirmed that the gunmen stole everything they could steal, including tractors and other agricultural farming tools but no monks were injured. Last February and April, the monastery had already been targeted by gunmen. Fr.dall'Oglio, who lived in Syria for the last 30 years, had been invited to leave the country in June, right after his statements calling for greater democracy, respect for human rights and a genuine national reconciliation. The priest expressed distress on hearing of the attack on the monastery and deep regret for all the lost work. He expressed solidarity with the monastic community and the hope for a better future.