Volume 8, Issue 1 (2015)

This year’s volume is dedicated to the loving memory of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, S,J,, and to all people who offer their lives to their brothers and sisters in the service of God. Father Paolo was ‘disappeared’ by members of the Islamic State in Raqqa, Syria, on 29 July 2013, It is believed that he was executed and dumped in a ravine outside of town. His death has yet to be authenticated. Father Paolo had lived in Syria for many years, after re-establishing a vibrant monastic presence at Deir Mar Musa, officially, in 1991. His mission has always grounded itself in love and respect toward all children of Abraham. When he was taken by the Islamic State, Father Paolo had returned to Syria to work for the release of foreign hostages. His ecumenical posture had caused his exile in 2012 by the Assad regime. During his Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message, our beloved Holy Father exhorted all of us: “Comfort all those who cannot celebrate this Easter with their loved ones because they have been unjustly torn from their affections, like the many persons, priests and laity, who in various parts of the world have been kidnapped.” May all people open their hearts to the cry of each and every neighbor, and, in so doing, negate the need for martyrs of love and martyrs of any faith.