There are a little less than 4 lakh Catholic priests in the world, actually 3.92 lakh in 1992, the year for which authentic data is available. Every year many are killed, injured or arrested in the world’s hotspots, from the steamy forests of Latin America where they face hostile governments and drug lords, through to Indonesia, Malaysia, and occasionally, India. And now, increasingly, the Middle East where the Islamic State has added a new dimension to the multiple strifes and open wars of the last four decades.
One Indian was captured by warlords in Afghanistan a couple of years ago, and was set free after many months, during which he had been handed over from captor to a new custodian every few days. No one has explained how his freedom was eventually secured. But there is reason to believe that other than diplomacy and prayers, a large amount of money was paid; by who remains a secret.
Tom Uzhunnalil, a 55-year-old Kerala born Catholic priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco congregation, could be one of these anonymous casualties, but for the fact that he suddenly has spoken seemingly from somewhere beyond the grave.
He was captured on March 4, 2016 in an Islamic State raid on an old people’s facility, the Aden Care Home, run by the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa. Four Nuns were killed, among them an Indian.
Since then, there have only been rumours about his fate. A report earlier this year quoted a Bishop saying he feared Tom would be crucified on Good Friday in imitation of Christ’s crucifixion. As there was no video, no message, no Facebook post subsequently, it was presumed that Tom survived Good Friday. The Bishop said he had been misquoted by the media. The Malayalam media carried follow up stories for a few days, frequently quoting External affairs Minister ShushmaSwaraj and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.
There has been an information black hole from then till about a few days before Christmas 2016.
On December 24, a video appeared on Facebook, showing a bearded, bedraggled and very weary Indian-looking person haltingly read from a distant board or IPad that he was a prisoner, very ill, and appealing for release. He addressed the Pope, as well as the Indian President and the Prime Minister.
What made news was the statement by Tom, or his look alike if that be the case, that the Western world was silent because he was not a white European. If he had been one, he would be free by now. Fr Tom said a French woman journalist reportedly kidnapped in the city of Sanaa had been freed because she was a Westerner.
The Vatican and other members of the Church have issued statements to say they have not been lax, and there has been much activity in the months since his capture, but of course it has not succeeded in getting his release.
MrsShushmaSwaraj, who has recently had a kidney transplant – that an increasing number of Indian Christian priests are turning kidney donors, is another story for another time – bravely tweeted she would be doing her best.
It is the prime minister who takes the final call on issues of foreign policy and major incidents such as the abduction of Fr Tom, an Indian citizen. It requires delicate and strong diplomatic pressure on the US government to out strong diplomatic pressure on Saudi Arabia and others to put strong diplomatic pressure on the Yemen government and then use those channels to get the IS to free the Indian priest.
In several such cases in the past, it is clear huge sums of money have changed hands, usually paid by the employers of the abducted persons.
It is the prime minister who takes the final call on issues of foreign policy and major incidents such as the abduction of Fr Tom, an Indian citizen. It requires delicate and strong diplomatic pressure on the US government to out strong diplomatic pressure on Saudi Arabia and others to put strong diplomatic pressure on the Yemen government and then use those channels to get the IS to free the Indian priest.
Above all, it is also a matter of luck, because IS is not a normal group that behaves according to rules. Some of this activity has indeed taken place, which is why the priest has been forcibly made to act before the camera and read out this script. We do not know when the tape was made.
MrsSwaraj as well as the Catholic hierarchy assure that to the best of their knowledge and belief, Fr Tom is alive. “Even though we have no information about Fr. Tom’s present whereabouts, we have strong indications to believe that he is still alive, “an official Church statement said. The statement recalled that Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal to the kidnappers to release Fr. Tom in April 2016, “In the hope given us by the Risen Christ, I renew my appeal for the liberation of all persons seized in areas of armed conflict: in particular, I desire to remember the Salesian priest, Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped at Aden in Yemen this past March 4th.”
The statement said Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, is in touch with the different channels who are working and are leading the dialogues to secure a safe release. “More details cannot be disclosed at this stage,” it said.
In the video appeal, Fr Tom mentions his deteriorating condition. "If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value. Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating," he said in the video.
He claimed his captors have made many contacts with the Government of India — president and prime minister. “I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard Reports had said everything has been done to get his release, but in reality, nothing has been done. Dear people, I pray you all, ask you all, beg you all to do you might to help me to save my life. I need hospitalisation soon. Please come to my help quickly," he said.
“Dear Pope Francis, dear holy father, as a father please take care of my life…I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating, I may need hospitalisation soon, please come to my help quickly” he said in the video that was apparently released on Christmas Day.
The External Affairs ministry in New Delhi did some palliative damage control after the Kerala media amplified the priest’s cry for help. “You are aware of the circumstances currently prevailing in Yemen where fighting is going on with no central authority in that country. With regard to the safe release of Father Tom who was abducted some months ago, we have been in regular touch with countries in the region, especially Saudi Arabia as also the local Yemeni authorities. Efforts continue in this regard,” official spokesman VikasSwarup said.
The veracity of the video, also uploaded on Facebook, could not be independently verified. This is the second video featuring Uzhunnalil to be posted on social media, and the first one had emerged in July.
Related Articles:
– Was Father Tom Crucified by ISIS on Good Friday? Catholic sources uncertain
– Fate of ISIS Captive Indian Priest Fr. Tom Uncertain