CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called the kidnapping of a group of Koreans in Afghanistan a "criminal act" and asked for their liberation.
The 22 South Koreans, members of the Evangelical Church Saem Mul, were captured by the Taliban on July 19. Initially there were 23, but one has been killed.
After praying the Angelus today with thousands of faithful at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope observed that "the practice by armed groups of manipulating innocent persons for promoting their own goals is becoming widespread."
He added: "These are grave violations of human dignity, which go against every elementary norm of civilization and rights and gravely offend the divine law.
"I make my plea so that the authors of such criminal acts desist from the evil done and return their victims unharmed."
ZE07072909 - 2007-07-29