Another Report on Fr Sinnott’s Abduction
ICC Note:
An update on the Irish priest who was kidnapped in Mindanao. Conflicting reports about the priest’s location.
10/19/09 Philippines (AsiaNews) In the meantime, Christians and Muslims are praying for the missionary’s health and prompt release. Yesterday Benedict XCI mentioned the clergyman in his address before the Angelus.
Also yesterday, parents and members of the Hangop Kabataan Foundation, a charity for disabled children founded by Fr Sinnott in 1998, held a prayer march in the city. They invited Christians, Muslims and Animists to pray for the rescue of the missionary, who has been involved for many years in inter-faith dialogue.
In Friday prayers, the local Muslim community also condemned the abduction of the Irish priest.
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According to police and the military, the St Colomban missionary is held by Latip Jamat, a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), active in the city of Sultan Naga Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte). However, reports are confusing. The MILF in fact continues to deny any involvement in the abduction.
“They are in the province of Lanao del Norte,” said Benito de Leon, army chief in the area, “but there are other reports that place them in Zamboanga and others in Basilan.”
