ASIA/YEMEN - A photo of the Salesian kidnapped in Aden "posted" on his Facebook account. Bishop Hinder: I think he is still alive

Wednesday, 20 July 2016 terrorism   kidnappings   facebook  

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Aden (Agenzia Fides) - "We have no further news, and today, with technical means available, everything is possible in this field. But the photo may be authentic. There are those who, however believe that father Tom is still alive. And I also think he is alive". This is how Bishop Paul Hinder OFMCap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, comments the publication of the photo which appeared on Father Tom Uzhunnalil’s facebook account, the Indian priest who was kidnapped on March 4 in Aden by terrorist commandos who stormed in a nursing home, slaughtering four Missionaries of Charity, along with 12 other people.
The photo, which appeared on father Tom’s facebook account yesterday, portrays a painful-looking man, with longish hair, a beard and his hands on his chest. The English message accompanying the photo announces the imminent publication of a "plea" of the kidnapped priest. There is no indication who "posted" the photo and message.
Many of Father Tom’s family members, have, under the unkempt beard and unusual long hair, recognized in the man in the photo the physical features of the priest. "For now" reports Bishop Hinder to Agenzia Fides "there are no further elements to decipher the meaning and origin of that photo".
On March 4, the terrorists kidnapped father Tom Uzhunnalil after carrying out the massacre in the residence for the elderly and disabled. Almost a month after the massacre and kidnapping, rumors on the web started circulating that the Salesian priest of Indian nationality had been killed on Good Friday (March 25). Days after, Bishop Hinder spoke of "strong indications" that made one believe that the priest was still alive and in the hands of his kidnappers. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 20/07/2016)


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