Fr. François Murad Beheaded on June 23 2013 in Syria-
VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - The Vatican is confirming the death by beheading of Franciscan Father, Francois Murad, who was martyred by Syrian jihadists on June 23.
On Sunday, June 23 the Syrian priest François Murad was killed in Gassanieh, in northern Syria, in the convent of the Custody of the Holy Land where he had taken refuge. This is confirmed by a statement of the Custos of the Holy Land sent to Fides Agency. The circumstances of the death are not fully understood. According to local sources, the monastery where Fr. Murad was staying was attacked by militants linked to the jihadi group Jabhat al-Nusra.
This should make it clear to Christians around the world what jihadists are about. Make no mistake. Catholics and Christians around the globe are under dire threat, particularly from the spread of militant Islam. Until the threat is recognized and taken seriously, martyrdoms like this will continue.
It is essential to now that these jihadists receive support from the Western countries, especially from the U.S. and the E.U. The jihadists are fighting against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad who defends the Christians and who is supported by the Christians.
The video is extremely graphic. We believe the first victim is Father Francois, and the second victim that is depicted is another person said to be a collaborator with the Assad regime.
The video CLEARLY depicts the beheadings of these victims. DO NOT follow the link unless you are over the age of 18, and are prepared to view content of this nature.
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CORRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL STORY BELOW:
It appears the story may not have been quite accurate. I had originally heard via Asia News that the beheading report may have been mistaken. Now, according to this July 2 CNN interview with a “Custody of the Holy Land” Franciscan, poor Father Maurad was killed on June 23, but it appears he was shot by guerrillas, not beheaded. As I think you know, the Franciscans at “Custody of the Holy Land” would be in a position to give accurate information about such an occurence.
A video circulated of three people being beheaded by Islamists (which I refused to watch), and supposedly Father Maurad was one of them, now this appears not to be the case. The Muslims gathered for the beheading, and some filmed and photographed it as if it were a sporting event.
Meanwhile, today's Vatican prepares to 'canonize' John Paul II who famously said on March 21, 2000: "May St. John the Baptist protect Islam". Galloping Madness. Oremus!
JV {John Vennari}
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/c...says/?hpt=hp_t3
11:58 AM ET
CNN exclusive: Catholic monk not beheaded by Syrian rebels, friar says
By Mohammed Jamjoom and Daniel Burke, CNN
[story contains video interview]
Jerusalem (CNN) – A Catholic monk was not among the men beheaded in a gruesome video circulating online, a friar who oversees Franciscans in the Middle East told CNN in an exclusive interview.
Father Franҫois Mourad, a Syrian, was shot eight times and killed June 23 at a Catholic monastery in Gassanieh, said Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
Mourad was buried the same day in a nearby village, the friar said.
A nine-minute video, which appears to have been shot with a handheld device, shows three men being beheaded on a grassy hill while a crowd shouts, “Allahu Akbar!” – Arabic for God is great. It is not clear where or when the video was shot.
A number of Catholic websites in the United States have posted the video online, saying that Mourad was among the three beheaded men.
“I deny this vigorously," Pizzaballa said. "He has nothing to do with this video and with (these) three poor persons."
Pizzaballa said he had seen the video, which he called “shameful.”
In a statement Friday, the Custody of the Holy Land also denied media reports that three friars had been killed in Syria recently.
Headquartered in Jerusalem, the Custody includes about 285 Franciscan friars and covers Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
Pizzaballa said that Mourad sought refuge at Gassanieh because it was considered to be safe from Syria’s bloody civil war, which has claimed more than 93,000 lives, according to the United Nations.
The Vatican has not commented on the video and referred questions to Pizzaballa.
A June 25 report from Vatican Radio – the church’s official broadcast – said that Mourad was killed during a raid on the Franciscan monastery of St. Anthony of Padua in Gassanieh, a predominantly Christian village near the Turkish border.
Mourad was well-known in the region, according to the Franciscans. He completed his novitiate in Rome as a Franciscan of the Custody and moved to Syria, where he was a citizen, to live a contemplative life as a hermit. As the war wore on, Mourad sought refuge at the monastery.
Several Franciscans, four nuns and 10 Christians also lived at the monastery, which was considered safe until the raid, according to Pizzaballa.
“When (Father) Franҫois tried to oppose resistance to defend the nuns and other people, the guerrillas shot him, killing him,” according the Vatican Radio report.
Most of the Gassanieh's Christian population has fled, Pizzaballa told Vatican Radio, after weeks of assaults by Syrian rebels.
“Mourad was just one of the many men and women religious putting their faith on the front line in Syria, refusing to abandon the communities they serve, Christian and Muslim," Vatican Radio said.
"They stay because they want to be a sign of hope, light and comfort to people in the midst of destruction."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/c...says/?hpt=hp_t3
Views: 858
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sue K on
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God bless Father Murad. May we all be so ready to shed our blood in union with Our Lord.
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Permalink Reply by Dawn Marie on
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CORRECTION ON THIS POST BELOW..
I found a better picture of Father which I'm posting here. Of course it is obvious he died a martyrs death so I don't know how that works when it comes to praying for the repose of his soul since martyrdom is a straight way, no bypasses to Heaven. I guess until the Church declares him a saint it is correct to pray for the repose of his soul? If I'm wrong on that assumption please anyone feel free to correct me. That is just what I assumed in this situation.
I hope if it should ever come to it, I, we, will all be as ready to shed our blood for the Faith as Fr. Murad was.
God love this dear soul!
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Permalink Reply by Cathleen on
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May His Holy Father St. Francis of Assisi welcome his soul into Heaven.
May the angels lead you into Paradise.
May the martyrs receive you at your coming and take you to Jerusalem, the holy city.
May the choirs of angels receive you,
And may you, like the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.
+Amen
Eternal memory
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ok someone may have answered the question:
St. Augustine says it is an insult to a martyr to pray for him.
So I deleted my pray for the repose of his soul. I surely don't wish to insult him :( yikes.
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Permalink Reply by Michael on
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God bless Father Murad. Please think about contacting your senators and representatives to demand an end to the funding of this terrorist organization. Forgive me for bringing in politics, but this terrorist organization would not exist without US and western support. Father Murad pray for us.
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You are so right Michael! The politics of the now USSA is putting power and weapons in the hands of the infidels.
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Yes that is true Mario! :) I didn't and couldn't watch the video but my Mom and others have said that Father was as calm and peaceful as any saint going to martyrdom.
Of course the grace of God must be with any of us to endure a death by so cruel a way so as not to fail by fear. One grace it is said we must always pray for is perseverance to the end. May God in His goodness and mercy the beautiful grace He gave to Father Murad of final perseverance!
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No, you are very right, Michael. It galls me to read that they are sending money and arms to those people. Diabolical disorientation indeed!
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I think I read in one of the few news reports about this, that Fr. Murad had contacted his bishop (I think that's who it was?) recently and said that things were very bad, and that he had prayed and offered his life to God for peace in Syria. I will have to look for that report again.
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Permalink Reply by 28eff3u5kci6n on
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This is sad, but i do not want to worry because he is a better place, his eternal home
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There is much news regarding the story of a Franciscan priest being beheaded by Muslims in Syria on June 23.
It appears the story may not have been quite accurate. I had originally heard via Asia News that the beheading report may have been mistaken. Now, according to this July 2 CNN interview with a “Custody of the Holy Land” Franciscan, poor Father Maurad was killed on June 23, but it appears he was shot by guerrillas, not beheaded. As I think you know, the Franciscans at “Custody of the Holy Land” would be in a position to give accurate information about such an occurence.
A video circulated of three people being beheaded by Islamists (which I refused to watch), and supposedly Father Maurad was one of them, now this appears not to be the case. The Muslims gathered for the beheading, and some filmed and photographed it as if it were a sporting event.
Meanwhile, today's Vatican prepares to 'canonize' John Paul II who famously said on March 21, 2000: "May St. John the Baptist protect Islam". Galloping Madness. Oremus!
JV {John Vennari}
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/c...says/?hpt=hp_t3
11:58 AM ET
CNN exclusive: Catholic monk not beheaded by Syrian rebels, friar says
By Mohammed Jamjoom and Daniel Burke, CNN
[story contains video interview]
Jerusalem (CNN) – A Catholic monk was not among the men beheaded in a gruesome video circulating online, a friar who oversees Franciscans in the Middle East told CNN in an exclusive interview.
Father Franҫois Mourad, a Syrian, was shot eight times and killed June 23 at a Catholic monastery in Gassanieh, said Friar Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
Mourad was buried the same day in a nearby village, the friar said.
A nine-minute video, which appears to have been shot with a handheld device, shows three men being beheaded on a grassy hill while a crowd shouts, “Allahu Akbar!” – Arabic for God is great. It is not clear where or when the video was shot.
A number of Catholic websites in the United States have posted the video online, saying that Mourad was among the three beheaded men.
“I deny this vigorously," Pizzaballa said. "He has nothing to do with this video and with (these) three poor persons."
Pizzaballa said he had seen the video, which he called “shameful.”
In a statement Friday, the Custody of the Holy Land also denied media reports that three friars had been killed in Syria recently.
Headquartered in Jerusalem, the Custody includes about 285 Franciscan friars and covers Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
Pizzaballa said that Mourad sought refuge at Gassanieh because it was considered to be safe from Syria’s bloody civil war, which has claimed more than 93,000 lives, according to the United Nations.
The Vatican has not commented on the video and referred questions to Pizzaballa.
A June 25 report from Vatican Radio – the church’s official broadcast – said that Mourad was killed during a raid on the Franciscan monastery of St. Anthony of Padua in Gassanieh, a predominantly Christian village near the Turkish border.
Mourad was well-known in the region, according to the Franciscans. He completed his novitiate in Rome as a Franciscan of the Custody and moved to Syria, where he was a citizen, to live a contemplative life as a hermit. As the war wore on, Mourad sought refuge at the monastery.
Several Franciscans, four nuns and 10 Christians also lived at the monastery, which was considered safe until the raid, according to Pizzaballa.
“When (Father) Franҫois tried to oppose resistance to defend the nuns and other people, the guerrillas shot him, killing him,” according the Vatican Radio report.
Most of the Gassanieh's Christian population has fled, Pizzaballa told Vatican Radio, after weeks of assaults by Syrian rebels.
“Mourad was just one of the many men and women religious putting their faith on the front line in Syria, refusing to abandon the communities they serve, Christian and Muslim," Vatican Radio said.
"They stay because they want to be a sign of hope, light and comfort to people in the midst of destruction."
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/02/c...says/?hpt=hp_t3
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Well, if he was shot and killed by those people that still makes him a martyr, no? Because no doubt the monastery was raided by the Muslims because it is Christian, and he died defending the nuns and others there?
May God grant rest to the souls of those other three people who were beheaded most cruelly by those devilish people. :-( May God have mercy on us all.
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