Italian nuns kidnapped by Somali gang
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/3416677/Italian-nuns-kidnapped-by-Somali-gang.html>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/3416677/Italian-nuns-kidnapped-by-Somali-gang.html Two Italian nuns have been kidnapped by heavily armed Somali bandits in northern Kenya and taken across the border. By Sebastien Berger in Johannesburg Last Updated: 1:39PM GMT 10 Nov 2008 The women were seized from their home in Elwak, in Kenya's far north east and less than two miles from the frontier with lawless Somalia, the Kenyan Red Cross said. A number of vehicles were also stolen. "The gunmen forced them into a car and drove them away and nobody knows their whereabouts," said Hussein Dhegey, who lives in the area. The nuns, who are members of the Little Sisters of Jesus order, were named in Italy as Caterina Giraudo, 67, and Maria Teresa Oliviero, 61. Kenyan police said they had been taken across the frontier. "We have deployed security forces who are currently pursuing them," a senior officer said. "So far, no progress has been made because it appears they have already crossed the border to the other side. "We are collaborating with village elders on the other side to negotiate." Somalia is notoriously conflict-ridden, with no functioning government for years, and the Gedo region, which neighbours northeastern Kenya, is mostly controlled by Islamists militants who are fighting the transitional federal government. In addition, rival clans in the area regularly clash over water and grasslands. Kidnapping, usually for ransom, is a favoured activity of Somali gangs, which have targeted foreigners and local employees of international organizations in recent months. At the weekend a Somali official of Mercy Corps, an American charity, was shot dead, and last week four aid workers from the French aid group Action Contre la Faim were kidnapped, along with their two Kenyan pilots, when gunmen stormed an airstrip. <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}>< <*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom!<*}}}>< Prayer for Unborn Life: O GOD OF LIFE AND LOVE, You have given us the gift to participate with You to bring new life into the world. But, all too often, the mother's womb, which should be a nursery of life, becomes instead a place of it's destruction. Help us to remove this evil and ensure respect for all life made in Your image and likeness, called to fulfill its promise on this earth, and destined to find a home with you for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Our God, Our Savior, and Our ALL. Amen. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
