Militants in Syria free kidnapped Franciscan priest

A Syrian priest has been released by his abductors and is “optimistic” even though he is not allowed to leave the country until he has met with an Islamic religious leader.

Militants connected to al-Nusra Front kidnapped Father Hanna Jallouf, a Franciscan priest, along with about 20 of his parishioners in Knayeh, Syria, on Oct. 5, Asia News reported. Jallouf was the last of the group to be freed.

While his kidnappers did not explain why they abducted him, Agence France Presse (AFP) said one source claimed the rebels were upset by the priest’s refusal to give them part of the convent’s harvest. AFP also reported Jallouf had complained to a religious court about al-Nusra trying to take Franciscan property.

Although Jallouf cannot leave the country, he can travel freely within Syrian territory. “Father Hanna is responsible for several parishes, which he can visit since he can travel freely and is not under house arrest,” said Georges Abou Khazen, Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo of the Latins, who has been in contact with Jallouf since his release.

Al-Nusra is al-Qaeda’s official representative in Syria and one of the groups fighting against President Bashar al Assad’s government. During Jallouf’s time as a hostage, “there was no interrogation,” Abou Khazen told Asia News. “He spent his time in a room, separated from most of the group, praying.”

Control of Knayeh, in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, has changed throughout the Syrian conflict between Assad’s regime and opposition groups that include extremists with al-Nusra and the Islamic State (ISIS). Although both al-Nusra and ISIS oppose Assad, they are not allies and have clashed over territory in Syria.

ISIS controlled Knayeh in 2013, removing crosses and silencing church bells, World Watch Monitor reported. As ISIS moved east at the end of the year, al-Nusra took control of the region.

Throughout Syria’s conflict, civilians have been “caught in the crossfire between the regime and these extremist groups,” said Todd Daniels, International Christian Concern’s regional manager for the Middle East. He said “indiscriminate bombing” and sniper attacks aren’t uncommon. In places where Islamic extremists have taken control, they’re implementing Islamic law, Daniels said.

Abductions by various groups have been common throughout the more than three years of conflict. A Greek Orthodox bishop and a Syrian Orthodox bishop remain missing after being abducted last year. In July 2013, an Italian-born Jesuit priest, Paolo Dall’Oglio, was also kidnapped, Asia News reported.

Their churches know nothing about their condition, Abou Khazen told Asia News. “What we can do is pray that God might enlighten the minds of their captors.”

Al-Nusra also was responsible for the kidnapping and months-long detainment of a group of nuns from Maaloula, Syria, in September 2013, The Catholic Herald reported. The nuns were later released.

The Herald said in spite of Christians’ efforts to remain neutral in Syria, opposition groups often view them as collaborators with Assad.