Source: MISNA
“It is a long wait here in Mosul. We are waiting for a phone call from the kidnappers”, said to MISNA the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, Basile Georges Casmoussa, expressing confidence of soon receiving news of Father Pius Afas and Fr. Mazen Ishoa, abducted last Saturday in the northern Iraqi city. The Archbishop last night referred that the kidnappers had conceded 72 more hours for the payment of a ransom: “we have received a 72 hour extension for the delivery of the ransom, but the kidnappers are upholding their positions” and that he was reassured of the condition of the two priests. “The new deadline is Saturday”, Archbishop Casmoussa told MISNA, “I was able to briefly hear the voices of the priests, but then someone broke off the conversation”. Moreover he added, “let us pray and give each other strength – addressing his fellow brothers – and let us pray such that the Lord supports us and supports father Pius Afas and father Mazen Ishoa, in this very difficult time"