Kohima, January 19 (MExN): The Diocese of Kohima along with the rest of the Christian community in India will observe Sunday, January 22, as a day of prayer for the safe release of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil.
Father Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped on March 4, 2016 after a militant group stormed into a home for the sick and elderly run by the Blessed Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of the Charity in Aden, Yemen. Four Sisters and 12 lay people were killed in the attack on the facility.
A press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima stating that the Catholic Church and specially the Church in India is worried and concerned about the safety and whereabouts of Fr. Tom, informed of the appeal to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Government of India to do everything possible to have the “generous and selfless priest” released.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the release informed, has been in constant touch with the Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj and the Foreign Ministry to request them to expedite the release of Fr. Tom. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) General Secretariat has also been in touch with Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, Yemen. It has been assured that he is alive and safe, the release added.
“While thanking all in anticipation for the prayers, let us also pray for the conversion of those who are holding him captive and pray that God may give them the grace to realize the injustice of their acts,” the CBCI’s appeal for prayer read.
