Indian Foreign Minister: Fr. Tom is safe, soon to be released

Last updated on: May 19, 2016 at 7:23 pm by CNA Daily News

Indian Foreign Minister: Fr. Tom is safe, soon to be released 2016-05-19T19:23:00+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.

New Dehli, India, May 19, 2016 / 01:23 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Fr. Tom Uznunnalil, the Indian Salesian priest kidnapped by extremists in March is alive and close to being released, according to Indian government officials.

AsiaNews reported Wednesday that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj of India has said that Fr. Tom is “safe and that the "last efforts (are being made to) ensure his release."

The Asian news source also reports that the priest is not in the hands of the Islamic State but rather other “anti-government forces” in Yemen territory, possibly Shiite Houthi rebels, who have been battling the government army for more than a year, though there has been no confirmation of the group’s involvement in the incident.

Fr. Uzhunnalil, an Indian national, was abducted March 4 when four gunmen attacked a Missionaries of Charity-run retirement home in Aden, Yemen, killing 16 people, including four Missionary of Charity sisters.

During Holy Week, unsubstantiated rumors spread on social media that Islamic State had captured Fr. Tom and were planning for his torture and crucifixion on Good Friday.

The rumors continued when Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna allegedly confirmed the crucifixion during Easter Vigil services, causing Austrian and Polish media sources to believe the crucifixion had taken place.

Afterwards, Bishop Paul Hinder of Southern Arabia (whose apostolic vicariate serves Catholics in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen) told CNA that Cardinal Schönborn’s statement was based on an incorrect statement from Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore. Cardinal Schonborn has since corrected the alleged statement.

While some Indian Catholic sources are reporting that the priest’s release is “imminent”, Bishop Hinder still urges caution. He told AsiaNews that there are “no new elements” in the release of Fr. Tom, and urged prudence in order to not further put Fr. Tom in danger.

On March 28, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) wrote a letter to Swaraj, urging the Indian government to take greater efforts in locating the priest and for further information to clarify his whereabouts and to quell the rumors of crucifixion.

The minister then met with the CBCI and announced that the rumors of crucifixion were “baseless”, that Fr. Tom was still alive and that the government was “adopting all possible means” for the quick and safe release of Fr. Tom.

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

May 19, 2016

Pope Francis to meet top Sunni imam at the Vatican

Next Post

May 19, 2016 That time Jesus appeared in the sky of Mexico

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

Why were the plagues significant against Egyptian beliefs?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Each plague targeted an Egyptian god They were meant to test Pharaoh’s patience Pharaoh had offended the Hebrew people They were random acts of nature