URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: US Priest missing in Greece, in danger, possibly dead

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ALL READERS please give your attention to this.

From Fox59 in Indianapolis:

An Indiana priest has disappeared in Greece, and his family tells Fox59 News that they believe he’s in serious danger or maybe even dead.

Father Christiaan Kappes, a Franklin, Ind., native and priest for the Indianapolis Archdiocese, began pursuing doctoral studies in Athens, Greece, on behalf of the Vatican three years ago.

Three days ago, Father Kappes called his family to tell them that he was trying to escape the country with his translator.

“He told my dad on Monday, ‘If you don’t hear from me in 12 to 24 hours, I’m dead,” said Nadia Charcap, Father Kappes’ sister.

Charcap says her brother first noticed signs of trouble in Greece after learning that his translator and close friend, Ioanna Lekakou, was involved in a heated dispute over her family’s inheritance.

“He said that her family is out to get the money that she inherited and they are going to stop at nothing to hurt her in order to get this money,” Charcap said. “I asked him if he thought his life was in danger, if he thought anything was amiss and he was like, ‘No they’re just a bunch of thugs.'”

Father Kappes reportedly told his family that he was trying to make sure Lekakou remained safe. Early Monday morning, they received another call from him saying someone had threatened to kill Lekakou and that he believed he was also a target.

“He calls my parents at three in the morning. At seven in the morning he calls me and (says) he’s in fear for his life,” Charcap said.

Father Kappes told his family that he and his translator were being followed and that they were seeking shelter at his church in Athens.

Virgil Kappes said he told his son to go to the United States Embassy. Father Kappes reportedly made it to the Embassy and called his family again.

“He told me if he left the embassy, they’re watching him, they’re there, ‘they’re going to take me,’” Virgil Kappas said. “And the Embassy did nothing.”

Charcap said her brother told her his only choice was to try to escape.

“He said that he was going to buy plane tickets for both of them to go and leave the country.”

Virgil Kappes told Fox59 that he spoke to a priest in Greece who reportedly dropped off his son and Lekakou at the Athens airport. The family said they were both planning to fly to Indianapolis on separate flights. As far as they know, neither one made it on a plane.

“There’s no reason to kill my son,” Virgil Kappes said. “If they do they’re heartless. They’re cowards.”

Virgil Kappes has contacted both the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Senator Richard Lugar’s office about his son’s disappearance.
Greg Otolski, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, sent the following statement to Fox59 News:

“The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is aware of the situation involving Father Christiaan Kappes. We have talked to his family and Church authorities about the matter. We are concerned that Father Kappes’ family has not been able to contact him in recent days. We are praying for the well-being of Father Kappes and his family and for Father Kappes’ safe return to the United States.”

[…]

There is more over there.

PLEASE. Stop what you are doing now and say a prayer for this priest and for his poor family. They must be frantic, the poor people.

Pray during the day. Ask the Holy Angels to help Fr. Kappes and his family.

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22 Comments

  1. yatzer says:

    He is also a great priest and a good man. This is truly horrible!

  2. MyBrokenFiat says:

    He and his family have my prayers.

    Invoking Our Lady’s desperation at the loss of Jesus in Jerusalem before she and St. Joseph found Him in the Temple.

    Oh Lord, have mercy on Your representative and his family…

  3. dahveed says:

    Done. I’ll also pray for him, and his family tonight.

  4. Sissy says:

    Have done and will continue. May his family receive good news very soon.

  5. SKAY says:

    “And the Embassy did nothing.”
    Why? I thought their job is to protect American citizens.

    He is in my prayers.

  6. 8latinfans says:

    Fr. Kappes is a personal friend of our family. He is a wonderful priest and a good man. Please pray that he may be found safe.

  7. Flambeaux says:

    Praying and spreading the word.

  8. frjim4321 says:

    Good grief that’s horrible. I hope he is found safe.

  9. sawdustmick says:

    On it Boss !!

    I will remember to pray for him when I attend Holy Mass this evening.

  10. Bea says:

    What a terrible situation.
    Will offer up my Mass for him at Noon.

  11. jenne says:

    My son and I prayed and will remember him.

  12. Massachusetts Catholic says:

    Just said the prayer to St. Michael. Will add the priest and his translator to my Rosary intentions.

  13. MAJ Tony says:

    I remember first meeting Fr. Kappes when he prayed an Italian Mass at Holy Rosary here in Indy a few years back. I was curious as always, so I went. He’s also participated as a deacon for a TLM on at least one occassion at Holy Rosary. I will certainly pray and spread the word.

  14. e.e. says:

    How terrible. Prayers offered that he is found safe.

  15. Liz says:

    I can’t imagine what his family is going through. Prayers for him, his translator and their families.

  16. Allan S. says:

    Attended Noon Mass today, along with confession and Rosary. Offered my Mass (Communion) for Fr. Kappes, along with the Rosary. Keep us posted.

  17. Jacob says:

    Father Kappas has a thread at the Websleuths forum where posters are following the investigation and discussing things. A few of the posters seem to have some issues with the traditional Church, but the moderators have steered things pretty well since Websleuths is a ‘victim friendly’ true-crime forum.

    According to other sources, the translator friend of Father Kappas was involved in some serious stuff aside from the inheritance. Senator Lugar’s office has requested the FBI’s involvement.

  18. joan ellen says:

    Will start a Rosary now for Fr’s safety.

  19. JoyfulMom7 says:

    Why not pray for the priest AND his translator?

  20. r7blue1pink says:

    Of course we should pray.. But.. after reading some of the things out there.. even from his family.. This is much too far-fetched to believe…. It almost sounds like Mission impossible… I pray that all are safe and that it all comes to an end…

    The woman was allgedly raped and the priest is the beneficiary of the 70k..thats according to the sister of the priest..

    http://www.facebook.com/ncharcap/timeline/story?ut=32&wstart=1325404800&wend=1328083199&hash=10151119166308881&pagefilter=3

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