Deacon Johnny Fouad Dawoud was recently released after spending a decade in a Syrian prison. Captured by the Al-Nusra Front, Dawoud shared his harrowing experiences, detailing the harsh conditions and challenges he faced. The article recounts his journey, including his initial withdrawal from priestly ordination and the loss of his home during the Syrian revolution. This firsthand account sheds light on the human cost of the conflict and the resilience of the human spirit.
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Deacon Johnny Al-Daoud, of the Syriac Catholic Church, was released from a Syrian prison on March 2, 2025, after a decade of captivity 1. He was captured in September 2015 after rebels stormed Abu Dhuhur airport, where he was serving military service 1. Al-Daoud was taken prisoner by the Al-Nusra Front 1.
Initially, prisoners were held for a potential prisoner exchange, but negotiations with regime officials were unsuccessful 1. Conditions included general good treatment, except during initial investigations, but immense suffering due to complete isolation 1. After three years, prisoners were allowed one short call per year with their families 1.
Al-Daoud engaged in religious discussions with fellow Muslim prisoners, finding some to be fanatical while others were open to debate 1. He viewed his situation as an opportunity to witness to his faith 1. However, he also experienced wavering faith and questioned why God was allowing his and his family's suffering 1.
Deacon Al-Daoud's release came unexpectedly 1. He was warmly received in the Christian village of Ya’qubiya before returning to Homs, where he was greeted by his family, Bishop Jacob Murad, and many others 1. Upon his return to his village, Maskanah, he was met with a grand celebration by Christians and Muslims alike 1. He stated that the joy of the people made him forget the suffering of the previous 10 years 1.
The story of Deacon Johnny Al-Daoud's decade-long captivity in a Syrian prison, as reported by Catholic World Report and Catholic News Agency, provides a poignant lens through which to examine the Church's teachings on persecution, suffering, and human dignity. His experiences resonate deeply with core tenets of Catholic faith, offering a modern-day example of resilience and spiritual fortitude in the face of adversity.
Deacon Al-Daoud's capture and imprisonment by the Al-Nusra Front constitute a clear instance of persecution, a reality that the Church acknowledges is not confined to the past . Pope Francis has noted that persecution continues today, both through bloodshed and more subtle means like slander and ridicule . Al-Daoud's choice to engage in religious discussions with his Muslim fellow prisoners, despite the presence of some fanatics, exemplifies witnessing to his faith amidst persecution . The Catholic Encyclopedia states that those who die propagating or maintaining the Gospel are God's witnesses to the truth, suffering persecution for His sake . His willingness to share his beliefs, even in a hostile environment, aligns with the Church's call to resist those who attack Jesus Christ and Christian teaching, defending the truth through word and example .
The deacon's wavering faith and questioning of God's allowance of suffering for himself and his family highlight the profound mystery of suffering, a theme extensively addressed in Catholic tradition . Pope John Paul II explained that suffering and sickness are part of the mystery of life, but they need not be without meaning . Through Christ's Passion and Resurrection, all creation has been redeemed, including all human experience . Suffering, when united with Christ, can become an act of love for the Father, a surrender to God's providence . As Pope John Paul II wrote in Salvifici Doloris, each person is called to share in the suffering through which Redemption was accomplished . This perspective offers a framework for understanding Al-Daoud's suffering not merely as a senseless ordeal but as a potential participation in Christ's redemptive work.
Despite the immense suffering endured during his captivity, Deacon Al-Daoud's release and warm reception in Ya’qubiya, followed by the grand celebration in Maskanah involving both Christians and Muslims, underscore the enduring value of human dignity and the importance of community. The Church's social teaching rests on the concept of the dignity of the person, revealed in its fullness in the mystery of the Incarnate Word . The Declaration "Dignitas Infinita" states that every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance . The joy expressed by the people upon Al-Daoud's return reflects a recognition of his inherent dignity and the shared humanity that transcends religious and cultural differences. His statement that the joy of the people made him forget the suffering of the previous 10 years speaks to the healing power of community and the restoration of dignity after prolonged deprivation.
Deacon Johnny Al-Daoud's story is a powerful illustration of Catholic teachings on persecution, suffering, and human dignity. His decade-long captivity exemplifies the reality of persecution faced by Christians today, while his faith and resilience offer a testament to the transformative power of suffering when united with Christ. Ultimately, his release and the joyous welcome he received underscore the enduring importance of human dignity and the strength of community in overcoming adversity.