BREAKING: Fr. Tom ALIVE! Negotiations ongoing, Church releases statement

Catholic Online has received an update on Fr. Tom's condition.

Catholic Online has learned through a source in the United Arab Emirates, that Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil is alive and negotiations are ongoing. Church officials are hopeful for his release.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Benwen Lopez, a journalist based in Dubai, UAE has informed Catholic Online that negotiations to free Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil are ongoing and that officials are hopeful they can secure his release.

A statement released on April 2, reveals that the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, has met with the Indian Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, who assured the gathered bishops that Fr. Tom is safe and the rumors surrounding his crucifixion at the hands of the terrorists who took him hostage are "totally baseless."

Father Joseph Chinnaiyan said of the meeting, "She [Minister Swaraj] has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon."

The Indian government is also bringing home Sister Rema, the only nun to survive the terror attack. Sr. Rema survived by hiding behind a door and was miraculously and repeatedly overlooked by terrorists who were searching for her to kill her.

The terrorists killed over 20 other people, including four nuns who where serving in a home for the elderly in Aden, Yemen on March 4. The attacks was an intentional strike against Christians in that country.

In it very important that all readers understand how important prayer is in this moment. It is apparent that prayers of the faithful have been instrumental in preserving the life of Fr. Tom. We must continue praying for Fr. Tom's safe return and for peace in the region which can only be courageously secured by peaceful engagement and love of all people, including our enemies. Love of our enemy is the greatest way we can honor the sacrifices of those who gave their lives without resistance to those who would do evil in the world. Their martyrdom is their witness to the world that God triumphs over all evil.

Please share this article on your social media network to spread the hopeful news and to keep the prayers for Fr. Tom going.

PRESS STATEMENT
New Delhi: 2nd April, 2016, 6.30 p.m.
 
The CBCI Delegation met the Hon'ble Minister for External Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, at her Office this evening and discussed all matters related to the release of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, a Salesian Priest, abducted by the suspected IS Militants from Aden, Yemen, on March 4, 2016.
 
The CBCI Delegation expressed the deep concern and distress of the Catholic Church in India over the fate of Fr. Tom, whose whereabouts are yet not known, even after 29 days of that sad incident. The Delegation firmly requested the Hon'ble Minister to throw some light on the mystery involving the abduction and the truth regarding the present state of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, SDB, especially now, when wild rumours are being spread at home and abroad about the fate of Fr. Tom.,

Ms. Sushma Swaraj has categorically assured the delegation that Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil is safe and that the Government is adopting all possible means for the quick and safe release of Fr. Tom. The Honorable Minister further said that the details of the negotiations and the technicalities involved with the negotiations cannot be divulged now, as it would endanger the process of release itself. Ms. Sushma Swaraj also shared with the delegation the strenuous effort taken by the External Affairs Ministry, and personally by her to procure a safe passage for Sr. Rema, the only surviving  nun, from the terrorist attack in Yemen. The Honorable Minister also said that the wild rumors being spread about any harm done to Fr. Tom, are totally baseless
 
 
The members of the Delegation expressed the sincere gratitude of the whole Church in India for the various steps taken by the Government of India and, in particular, the Hon'ble Minister for External Affairs, to trace and rescue Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil from the abductors.
 
The Delegation consisted of the CBCI Deputy Secretary General, Monsignor Joseph Chinnayyan; CBCI Spokesperson, Fr. Gyanprakash Topno; CARITAS India Executive Director, Fr. Frederick D'Souza; CBCI Secretary for Education, Fr. Joseph Manipadam, SDB; and the Secretary for CBCI Legal Matters, Advocate Jose Abraham.
 
The Delegation handed over to Smt. Sushma Swaraj the same Letter, which was earlier handed over to the Senior Officials of the External Affairs Ministry, as the Hon'ble Minister was not in Delhi on those days.
 
 
Msgr. Joseph Chinnayyan,
Deputy Secretary General, CBCI

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