Thursday 31 March 2016

BREAKING: ransom video claiming to be of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil ~ "Authenticity of the video is being verified but no hope is lost"



Recent media reports state that the Indian government is in possession of a ransom video of the kidnapped Salesian priest, Fr. Thomas Uzhunnalil. The claim that Fr. Tom appears on the video is presently unverifiable. A journalist from the Middle East, who is following this story very closely and with whom this blog is in direct contact, provided us with the following information: 
"The authenticity of the video is being verified but no hope is lost. Efforts are being made to secure Fr. Tom's release. The best we can all do is pray for his successful release".
The Salesian Order has provided a list of those to whom we should turn for definitive information regarding Fr. Tom:  
  From Onmanorama: 
In an appeal, the Salesians of Don Bosco said: “please do not give credence to reports coming from other sources unless the news has been confirmed by any of the primary sources listed.
They have listed the information from The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India, Archbishop Paul Hinder OFMCap, Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA) which includes Yemen, The Provincial / Provincial Secretary of the Salesian Province of Bangalore to which Fr Tom belongs and The General Council of the Salesian Congregation based in Rome only as credible primary sources to distinguish the authentic reports regarding the situation of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, from the rumours doing the rounds. 

Please continue to pray for Fr. Tom. 

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