Abducted priest's fate still unknown despite unconfirmed ISIS crucifixion reports
A priest was abducted in Yemen early this month and it was reported by numerous media outlets that he was crucified by the Islamic State terror group on Good Friday. However, there has been no indication that this is the case.
A report by the Catholic News Agency says that there has been no confirmation or information regarding the situation of Rev. Thomas Uzhunnali.
Paul Hinder, the bishop for the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which includes the UAE, Oman and Yemen, told the Catholic news portal that there are "strong indications that Fr. Tom is still alive in the hands of the kidnappers." However, to protect the life of the abducted priest, he could provide no other details.
On Monday, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Austria made a statement that the IS terrorists had gone on with their threats. This, however, was based on erroneous information.
"Cardinal Schönborn has already corrected his statement which he had made on the basis of the wrong statement of Archbishop Moras in Bangalore," Hinder said. "Certain media in India are too nervous and curious and not aware that they are playing with the life of Fr. Tom."
In a statement posted on Agenzia Info Salesiana, the spokesman for Salesian Bangalore province has denied responsibility for any misleading information.
"We reiterate that till date no further information has come to us from credible and authoritative sources regarding the whereabouts or wellbeing of Fr Tom," said Father Mathew Valarkot. "Therefore we earnestly appeal to all concerned to desist from forwarding all such unsolicited and misleading messages and spreading false rumors."
Uzhunnali, who is from the Salesian Bangalore province, was in a church-run elderly home in Aden, Yemen when unidentified militants stormed in and started killing people. The event that took place on March 4 was recounted by Sister Sally, a survivor of the attack, to Sister Rio.
The account, handwritten by Sister Adriana, says: "A neighbor saw them put Father Tom in their car. They did not find any trace of Father anywhere."
Four nuns and 12 others were killed during the attack.
