Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) – The plague of kidnappings continues to afflict the Catholic community of South Philippines. Yesterday evening, October 11, a missionary from the Society of Saint Columban was kidnapped. No news as to his fate has been released by the perpetrators, nor have they demanded a ransom. The victim of the kidnapping, Fr. Michael Sinnott (78 years old) was attacked yesterday evening in the courtyard of the house belonging to the Missionaries of Saint Columban in Pagadian, in the Province of Zamboanga City, on the southern most point of the island of Mindanao. According to information released from the Missionary Society of Saint Columban in the Philippines, four armed men burst into the courtyard of the residence, taking the religious by force and shoving him into a van, which they drove to the coastline, where they then abandoned the vehicle and got away on a motorboat.
Local government authorities, working with the police, have created an operation committee to work on freeing Fr. Sinnott.
As Agenzia Fides has learned from the local Church, the Bishops of Mindanao have intervened in the case, expressing their worry and concern. Archbishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian has called for the immediate release of the missionary, recalling his fragile health: “I am very concerned for his safety. I ask his abductors to do him no harm. He is person that is deeply appreciated by the community that he has lovingly served for years.”
Archbishop Romulo Valles of Zamboanga also mentioned his bitterness for yet another kidnapping striking the Catholic community: “It is sad to see that these groups continue to filtrate the area and kidnap missionaries and Catholic priests. We ask that the authorities intervene and we pray for peace.”
For the time being, no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, however police believe the abductors could be linked to terrorists or Muslim separatists who are active in the South Philippines. For many of these groups, kidnapping has become a means of financing their work and purchasing arms.
Fr. Sinnott is originally from Ireland and has worked as a missionary on Mindanao for many years. He was first there carrying out his ministry after his priestly ordination, from 1957-1966. He then returned in 1976 and since then has held various pastoral and administrative positions in his congregation. He was especially active in education for poor and needy children. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2009)
