AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Apostolic Vicar of Harar: "We have no news of Father Habtewold, who was kidnapped on March 23, and my priests and I are very worried"

Harar (Agenzia Fides) - "None of the kidnappers ever contacted me or my priests, and as far as I know from what my priests have told me, the kidnappers contacted the family the day after the kidnapping," Bishop Angelo Pagano, Ofm Cap., Apostolic Vicar of Harar, told Fides about the news circulating about Father Habtewold's kidnapping.

"What I can say," the prelate continued, "is that on March 23, when he returned to the rectory, he was reportedly kidnapped with other people. I learned this personally from one of my priests. To date, he has not returned home."

"The bishop has not paid any ransom. I do not know how much the kidnappers demanded and how much the family managed to collect and hand over, because I repeat, no one has contacted me. The only thing I know for sure is that the priest has not yet returned to his usual place of residence, and both my priests and I are very worried," the Apostolic Vicar concluded. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 10/4/2025)

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