ICC Note:

Church leaders in the Middle East have claimed that they are in communications with the negotiators seeking to secure the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian Priest kidnapped by ISIS in March. Father Tom was abducted by ISIS when the elderly home he ran was attacked by the extremist group in Yemen back in March. Recently, a video of Father Tom was release in which the priest begged his home government and the Pope to work on securing his release. Will Father Tom be freed?

12/29/2016 India (Times of India) – The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia in UAE has issued a statement indicating that its bishop has been communicating with negotiators who have been using various channels to secure the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia is a territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church covering UAE, Oman and Yemen. “The church has got strong indications to believe that Fr Tom Uzhunnalil is still alive,” the statement said, adding that more details cannot be divulged at this stage.

“The features of the person speaking in the video bear a close likeness to Fr Tom Uzhunnalil. However the source of the video, the date of its creation and the circumstances under which it was recorded are unknown,” said the statement.

“The bishop, Paul Hinder, has led the prayers throughout the churches in the vicariate for Fr Tom and the other Christians remaining in the country. During the Christmas mass on the midnight of December 25, the bishop and thousands of believers who gathered at the cathedral parish of St Joseph’s in Abu Dhabi, prayed for the safety of Fr Tom,” added the statement.

“We request the faithful not to spread unconfirmed reports on social media but to continue their prayers for Fr Tom, it said.

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