Kidnapped Priest Could Be Crucified on Good Friday
There are fears that a Catholic priest believed to have been captured by radical Islamists in Yemen could be crucified by ISIS on Good Friday.
The Daily Star reports Father Tom Uzhunnalil, 56, was in a chapel praying when he was kidnapped.
According to the U.K.-based publication, the kidnapping happened at the time the “terrorists massacred 16 people, including four nuns … at a retirement home in the city of Aden” March 4.
The publication says one nun who survived that attack has reportedly said ISIS is responsible. The attack is thought to be “religiously motivated,” according to The Daily Star.
An online prayer campaign has been started for the priest. You can offer your prayers as well at Pray for Father Tom.
The concerns over Father Tom come as millions of Christians around the world get ready to mark Jesus Christ’s crucifixion on Friday.
The Franciscan Sisters of Siessen, based in South Africa, posted more information on Facebook.
“Was informed that the Salesian priest, Fr.Tom who was kidnapped by ISIS from the Missionaries of Charity Home in Yemen is being tortured and is going to be crucified on Good Friday. This calls for serious concerted prayers from all of us,” the sisters posted.
That post has been shared more than 100,000 times, The Daily Star reports.
Dozens of people have also taken part in a Twitter campaign to pray for Father Tom.
According to The Daily Star, Father Tom’s colleagues have denied the reports.
“We have absolutely no information on Fr Tom,” said Father Mathew Valarkot, a spokesman for the Salesians’ Bangalore province to which Father Tom belongs. “But even today we do not know who has taken him and what their motives are because no one has claimed responsibility.”
However, the publication says they do not know where the priest is and if he is alive.
The Daily Star says Father Tom is believed to be one of only two Catholic priests serving in the entire country of Yemen. They report he chose to stay there even though he was encouraged to leave a country plagued by violence.
