By Mark Woods
Christian Today
The Indian government has promised to do everything it takes to secure the freedom of kidnapped priest Fr Tom Uzhunnalil after the release of a video by his Islamic State captors.
Uzhunnalil, from Bangalore, was kidnapped by fighters who overran a home for elderly people in Aden, killing four nuns. In all, 16 people died in the attack. Unfounded rumours that he was to be crucified on Good Friday spread rapidly despite denials by the Church and the Indian government.
Now a video released by his captors shows Uzhunallil looking frail and pleading with the government and Pope Francis for his release. He says he is "very sad and depressed" and that not enough is being done because he is Indian and not European.
He says in the video: "If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value."
He adds: "Nothing has been done by Pope Francis or the Bishop of Abu Dhabi to get me released, in spite of contact being made by my captors... Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating."
UPDATE: Please read the statement on the video above from THE APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF SOUTHERN ARABIA
ReplyDeletehttp://avosa.org/news/statement-on-video-claiming-to-show-fr-tom-uzhunnalil