- The Salesian order in Bangalore, India denies rumors that the captured priest will be crucified on Good Friday
- Father Tom was abducted by terrorists who stormed a nursing home in Yemen early this month
- The order, however, admitted nothing is known about the fate of the kidnapped Salesian priest
BANGALORE, India – The Salesian order in this city has denied rumors that captured priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil will be crucified by the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists on Good Friday, which is one of the holiest days in the Roman Catholic calendar.
Two days ago, a Facebook post surfaced claiming that the priest has been tortured by his captors and is going to be crucified on March 25, to mock the Catholic Church.
But a spokesman for the Salesian order in Bangalore has dismissed the persistent rumor as ‘baseless’ and there is no indication whatsoever that it is true.
“These are all rumors. When no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, how do we know other details,” Breitbart quoted Father Mathew Valarkot as saying.
However, Fr. Mathew admitted that nothing is known about the fate of their colleague so far.
“We have absolutely no information,” the Salesian priest explained.
Earlier, Father Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major told Asia News the order has sought the help of the Chief Minister of the State of Kerala, Oommen Chandy who promised to extend any possible assistance for the safe release of Father Tom.
The Indian Bishops’ Conference and Monsignor Paul Hinder, the apostolic vicar of southern Arabia, is closely coordinating with the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Nunciature in Kuwait, and the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to help in the negotiation.
Father Tom is a 56-year-old Kerala-born priest who served as chaplain to the Sisters of Mother Teresa in Yemen.
He was captured on March 4 when terrorist gunmen stormed the Catholic retirement home in Yemen’s port city of Arden; killing at least 16 people including four Catholic nuns from India, four local nurses and four security guards.
Father Tom was kidnapped by the terrorists and has not been heard of since the brutal attack.
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