Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council will observe Thursday as prayer day.
By Dileep Thekkethil
According to media reports, the abductors of Father Thomas Uzhunnalil have sent a video to the Government of India asking exorbitant amount as ransom for the life of the priest who was taken as a captive by alleged ISIS group in Yemen.
A national media today reported that the video sent to the government has Father Thomas standing along with an unidentified militant, seeking help from the government for his safe release.
As scare mounts on the condition of the priest, the Salesian order Catholic priest on Tuesday said there is no confirmed news about the ‘crucifixion’.
Bishop Paul Hinder of Southern Arabia told Catholic News Agency (CAN) that he has “strong indications that Fr. Tom is still alive in the hands of the kidnappers.”
“Cardinal Schönborn has already corrected his statement which he had made on the basis of the wrong statement of Archbishop Moras in Bangalore. Certain media in India are too nervous and curious and not aware that they are playing with the life of Fr. Tom. I cannot say more for the reason I gave in my first sentence (to protect the life of Fr. Tom),” Bishop Hinder told CNA.
“There is no confirmed news till date about Fr. Tom. Don’t be carried away by the rumours on the social media,” Father Vincent Matthew Salesian order Catholic priest told Indo Asian News Service on Tuesday.
Kerala-born Father Tom Uzhunnalil, 56, was kidnapped by Islamic State gunmen who attacked the old age facility killing more than 15 people including the four Indian nuns. The incident happened in Aden, southern Yemen on March 4.
Father Thomas who hails from Ramapuram, Kottayam in Kerala has two brothers living abroad. They have now reached Kerala after coming to know about the ordeal undergone by their brother in Yemen.
Relatives of Father Tom said they are regularly provided with updates from Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s office. Oommen Chandy had earlier conducted discussions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) said that they will observe Thursday (March 31) as prayer day for the release of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil.
Vatican diplomatic channels are also said to be working to learn the whereabouts of Father Tom and trying all they can do for his release.