EUROPE/ITALY - Day of Prayer for release of Italian missionary abducted a month ago in the Philippines: "we must never forget to pray: we are all in the hands of God.”

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Today 10 July, people all over Italy will pray for the release Italian PIME missionary Fr Giancarlo abducted a month ago on June 10 in the southern Philippines district of Payao. The Day of intense and special Prayer has been organised by the superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, Fr Gian Battista Zanchi.
In a letter to the members of the Institute Fr Zanchi writes “The members of the Institute, with the family, parish and friends of Fr. Giancarlo are waiting confidently for the news of his release but so far no one has claimed responsibility or given the reason for his disappearance. Initiatives at various levels are being organised to hasten the release of Fr. Giancarlo. We welcome this demonstration of support and solidarity but we must never forget to pray: we are all in the hands of God. ”.
The Superior will preside a special Mass at 8.30pm at the PIME general house PIME a Roma, via F. D. Guerrazzi 11, everyone is invited. In the diocese of Milan last Sunday, 8 July, special prayers were said for Fr. Bossi and all Christian who suffer for the cause of the Gospel. Today Tuesday 10 July, besides prayers at Mass the web site of the diocese and PIME have made available a schema of a prayer vigil and a request to hold a vigil this evening. A prayer vigil will be held at Fr Bossi's home town Abbiategrasso, at 9pm at the Basilica of S. Maria Nuova. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/7/2007; righe 21, parole 292)