Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) - The members of the Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) in Zamboanga, a reality promoted by the movement for dialogue Silsilah, issued the following statement with regard to the abduction of the Italian missionary Fr. Bossi one month ago.
“We in the Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) of Zamboanga City are deeply saddened by the kidnapping nearly a month ago of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, PIME. We are concerned for his safety and his health, considering the circumstances which now surround him. Fr. Bossi is not a combatant in the ongoing conflict in Mindanao. Fr. Bossi is a missionary priest, far from his home in Abbiategrasso, Italy, who is giving his life in service to the people of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. We, as a group of Muslim and Christian leaders of different sectors of society, who follow the spirit of Silsilah towards the attainment of peace through dialogue, are committed to a firm respect for the value of human life regardless of religion, culture and ethnicity, as taught in our respective religions.
We invoke the teachings of our Holy books, the Qur’an and the Bible, and ask those who hold Fr. Bossi to keep him safe and release him immediately. We ask those who have information about Fr. Bossi to cooperate with the authorities working to find Fr. Bossi and arrange for his release. We take this sad event as a new challenge for reflection and action, to invite all Muslim, Christian and Indigenous people of Mindanao to be united for the common good of our people. We are in solidarity, in sorrow and in prayer with the family, friends, the community of Fr. Bossi, the Italian people and all peoples of sincere hearts who work for a better and peaceful world. It is our belief that those who do good in the name of Allah/God will find favour in His eyes, and good will be given to them. ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2007; righe 25, parole 322)
