Sources in Syria have reported the release of Father Tony Boutros, a Melkite-Catholic priest who was kidnapped by unknown assailants.
On July 12, Fr. Boutros and his driver were reported missing after they were last seen driving to a local church for Mass. The Melkite-Catholic priest served as pastor of the Church of St. Philip the Apostle in Shahba.
News of the priest’s release was confirmed by Patriarch Gregory III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Alexandria and Jerusalem.
Fr. Boutros is one of several Catholic and Orthodox priests who have been targeted for kidnapping. Among those still missing are Italian Jesuit priest Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio and two Orthodox Bishops: Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Boulos Yazigi.
