VATICAN – Pope Francis Appeals for Fr Tom Uzhunnalil

11 April 2016

(ANS - Vatican City) - Pope Francis has added his voice to the many calls from around the world asking for the release of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil.  On 4 March last the Indian Salesian missionary was kidnapped in Aden in Yemen during a terrorist attack on the community of the Missionaries of Charity. The Pope raised his prayer for Fr Tom and all victims of kidnapping in war zones immediately after the recitation of the "Regina Coeli" yesterday, Sunday 10 April 2016.

Appearing at the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis renewed his call "for the liberation of all hostages in zones of armed conflict. In particular” he said, “I wish to remember the Salesian priest Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped in Aden in Yemen on 4 March".

The Pope's appeal was raised "in the hope given to us by the Risen Christ." The Pope had earlier drawn attention to the extraordinary nature of the Easter message and its implications for the first disciples and for the faithful of today. "The presence of the risen Jesus transforms everything: darkness is overcome by light, work becomes fruitful and promising, and the sense of fatigue and neglect gives way to a new momentum and the assurance that He is with us."

In this spirit of hope and faith in the Risen Lord the Salesian Family continues to follow the story of the kidnapping of Fr Tom, and is committed to following the Pope in being the bearer of Christ’s light and mercy.

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