Rome: Official statement from Salesians on Fr Tom Uzhunnalil

Father Tom Uzhunnalil

The General Council of the Salesian Congregation based in Rome published the following statement on Tuesday, 29 March 2016:

In reference to the situation of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped on 4 March last in Aden, Yemen, it is confirmed that at the moment there is no further news than what has already been said.

We await news, which we hope will be positive, from those who are following the story more closely: the Indian Government, the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia and the Salesian Provincial of Bangalore.

The Salesian Congregation continues to follow the situation with feelings of solidarity and closeness in prayer.

signed by, Fr Filiberto González Plasencia, SDB, Councillor General for Social Communication

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To help readers distinguish the authentic reports regarding the situation of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, SDB, from the false rumours doing the rounds, here is a list of credible primary sources listed by the Salesians in their statement:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India www.mea.gov.in

Archbishop Paul Hinder OFMCap, Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA) which includes Yemen http://avosa.org

The Provincial / Provincial Secretary of the Salesian Province ofBangalore to which Fr Tom SDB belongs. http://dbbangalore.org

The General Council of the Salesian Congregation based in Rome: http://sdb.org/en