Iraqi priest killed in drive-by shooting in central Baghdad, police say

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

BAGHDAD: Iraqi officials say a priest has been killed in a drive-by shooting in central Baghdad.

An official with the Interior Ministry and a local police officer have identified the slain priest as Youssef Adel and say he was killed Saturday by gunmen in a speeding car shortly after he left his house.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

More specifics about the priest's religious affiliation were not immediately available. The predominantly Islamic country has a number of religious minorities, including Catholics and Orthodox Christians, who have faced frequent attacks.

Christian priest gunned down in Baghdad
by Ammar Karim

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Gunmen shot dead an Assyrian Orthodox priest near his house in the centre of the Iraqi capital on Saturday, in an attack condemned by Pope Benedict XVI who expressed his "profound sorrow".

Iraqi security officials said Youssef Adel, a priest with Saint Peter's Church, was gunned down by gunmen travelling in a car around noon (0900 GMT) as he left home.

A medical official said Adel's body had been brought to Ibn Nafis hospital in central Baghdad.

The pope in a telegram to the Orthodox Assyrian archbishop of Baghdad, Saverius Jamil Hawa, said he prayed that "the Iraqi people find a way of peace to build a society that is just and tolerant."

He also expressed his "profound sorrow" at the killing.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080405/wl_afp/iraqunrest

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/05/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Priest-Killed.php

[DesertRat]

1. Another victim of Bush's occupation. Very sad.