Two Bishops Kidnapped By Syrian Rebels, Christian Persecution Feared

Two bishops kidnapped by Syrian rebels were famous for warning of the threat to religious tolerance and diversity from the two-year civil war in Syria.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, UN peacekeepers were kidnapped by Syrian rebels only to be released. A chemical attack in March had both sides in Syria blaming each other. But despite all the controversy, the United States is sending more aid to the Syrian rebels.

The two bishops kidnapped by Syrian rebels were Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi. Witnesses claims “a terrorist group” in the village of Kfar Dael kidnapped the two bishops as they were “carrying out humanitarian work”. Until now, kidnapping of high officials in the Church had not been heard of.

The Syrian conflict has killed more than 70,000 people across Syria. Christians make up less than 10 percent of Syria’s 23 million people and religious persecution runs rampant. Some fear that a democratic Syria dominated by Muslims may result in increased Christian persecution.

40 years of Assad dynastic rule has ensured religious freedom for Syria’s Christians, although the entire populace lacked political freedom. Hardline Syrian rebels like the Nusra Front even pledged their allegiance to al Aqeda recently. Seeing the two bishops kidnapped by Syrian rebels only make some wonder what the future for Syria holds for its Christian population.

Before being kidnapped, bishop Ibrahim spoke about the plight faced by Syrian Christians:

“In its modern history Aleppo has not seen such critical and painful times…Christians have been attacked and kidnapped in monstrous ways and their relatives have paid big sums for their release. Until a few months ago the idea of escaping had not crossed the minds of the Christians, but after the danger worsened it has become the main topic of conversation.”

Do you think the two bishops kidnapped by Syrian rebels indicate widespread Christian persecution or just an isolated incident?