Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Jesuits working to free abducted priest in Afghanistan

Jesuits working to free abducted priest in Afghanistan

Last updated on: July 17, 2014 at 2:02 am by CNA Daily News

Jesuits working to free abducted priest in Afghanistan 2014-07-17T02:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Kabul, Afghanistan, Jul 16, 2014 / 08:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- More than a month after the kidnapping of Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar, S.J. near the Afghan city of Herat, his order continues to advocate for his release.

“During this painful time, we have worked quietly to resolve this difficult situation. We have been in close contact with the Afghan authorities and the Indian Consul General in Herat, Afghanistan,” Fr. Peter Balleis, S.J., international director of Jesuit Refugee Service, stated July 7.

“Although we still have not heard from him or his captors, we live in hope. All the information we have continues to suggest that he is alive and he remains in Afghanistan.”

Fr. Kumar, 47, is from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is Afghanistan director for Jesuit Refugee Service; he was abducted June 2 while accompanying teachers on a visit to a school for refugees in the village of Sohadat, some 500 miles west of Kabul.

“We remain committed as well to doing everything in our power to ensure Fr Alexis Prem Kumar's safety,” Fr. Balleis said, “and hope that by the end of Ramadan those who have taken him will release him as a festive Eid al-Fitr gift.”

The fasting month of Ramadan in Islam is concluded by Eid al-Fitr, a holiday during which Muslims are particularly encouraged to forgive one another and to make gifts of charity to the poor. Eid al-Fitr will fall this year on or around July 28.

“This past month has been a painful time for Prem's family, his Jesuit confreres across the world, and for all of us in JRS,” Fr. Balleis stated. “We are grateful for the outpouring of prayerful support that we have received from many quarters … we are particularly grateful to the advice and assistance offered by several humanitarian aid agencies.”

“These past weeks have, without a doubt, been trying and difficult ones for Prem. We are concerned about his health, but know that his spiritual strength and personal warmth will guide him through this trial.”

Fr. Balleis lamented that June's presidential election in Afghanistan could make securing Fr. Kumar's release “more complicated than we had imagined.”

The Jesuit Refugee Service international director noted that the school in Sohadat will re-open when Fr. Kumar is released, and added that they have already re-opened most of their educational programs in Afghanistan.

“We remain committed to accompany our Afghan students and their families in their desire for quality education and re-opening our schools is a clear sign of that commitment.”

Jesuit Refugee Service provides education, health care, and social services to more than 500,000 refugees and internally displaced persons annually; Fr. Kumar has been working with them in Afghanistan since 2011.

In 2013, the agency assisted more than 6,000 Afghans who were returning from Iran and Pakistan, working in Kabul, Herat, Bamiyan, and Day Kundi. Fr. Kumar has been in Afghanistan since 2011.

He hails from the town of Variyanvayal, located fewer than 18 miles northeast of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, and belongs to the Madurai province of the Society of Jesus.

He attended secondary school in Devakottai, and studied theology in Chennai and Delhi.

Before his time in Afghanistan, Fr. Kumar had worked with Sri Lankan refugees and with indigenous peoples and dalits in Tamil Nadu.

Many tribespersons and volunteers in Kodaikanal, where Fr. Kumar served at Sacred Heart College from 2001-2006, have offered prayers and had Masses said to procure his safe release.

His family have appealed to the Indian government to assist in locating and securing the priest, and Tamil Nadu's chief minister has written to the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on his behalf.

A friend who attended school with Fr. Kumar said he had wanted to serve others since childhood.

“He used to talk about the plight of poor and downtrodden people when other students would be discussing cinema,” A. Thadeus told the Times of India.

Fr. Kumar's brother, Manoharan, said through NDTV: “I appeal to all in Afghanistan with folded hands, whoever it may be, to release my brother Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar as early as possible so that the agony what we are going through may end.”

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

July 16, 2014

Archbishop calls slated black mass offensive, horrendous

Next Post

July 17, 2014 John Paul II taught that 'the body matters,' priest says

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to James, what should you do if you lack wisdom?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fast and pray for seven days Study the Torah diligently Seek counsel from elders Ask God, who gives generously