3952_The statement regarding Fr. Thomas Uzhunnalil

March 29, 2016

By Fr. Edward Thomas, SDB
President of CRI

Bangalore, India, March 28, 2016 - Fr. Edward Thomas, SDB, President of CRI -- CRI encompasses the 11 Salesian Provinces in India and 1 Province in Sri Lanka -- issued the following statement regarding Fr. Thomas Uzhunnalil, SDB:

"It has come to our notice that some unverifiable and unconfirmed reports have been circulating these days especially in the electronic media on the present status and condition of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, who has been abducted in Aden, Yemen, on 4th March by unidentified gunmen.

We, Salesians, are not responsible for the content or its authenticity. In this context, 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. Therefore we earnestly appeal to all concerned to desist from forwarding all such unsolicited and misleading messages and spreading false rumors.

In the meantime, let us continue to pray for Fr Tom so that the Lord may protect him from all harm and relieve him from the clutches of the evil forces sooner than later."