Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Roraima (Fides Service) – Yesterday’s federal police attempt to liberate three Consolata missionaries taken hostage on 6 January from their mission in Surumu, Roraima (Brazil) failed. The Federal Police had announced that the three missionaries, two priests and a brother, and a group of students of the Formation Centre also kidnapped, would be released around 1pm local time. Father Antônio Manuel de Jesus Fernades, Superior of the Consolata Missionaries in Roraima, told Fides that yesterday, 7 January, federal police members did meet the captors but failed to obtain the release of the hostages. The kidnappers conditions for release include the presence of the media, and they want to speak to President Lula. The police intend to make a new attempt to free the group this afternoon, 8 January.
The missionaries, Father Ronildo França (Colombian), Father César Avellaneda (Brazilian) and Brother João Carlos Martinez (Spanish) are detained in the small village of Contão, about 200 km from Boa Vista, capital of Roraima state.
Father Antônio told Fides that the missionaries were kidnapped by local groups who oppose the signing of a law which will establish Raposa Serra do Sol territory as an indigenous people’s reserve. Raposa Serra do Sol with an area of about 1.600.000 hectares is home to some 15,000 people belonging to native Indian tribes Maculi, Wapixana, Ingarikó and Taurepang. President Lula said the law would be signed this month. The law will mean all non native people will have to leave the territory and several rice producing farms will be confiscated. (M.R) (Fides Service 8/1/2004; lines: 18; words: 239)
