Sister Gloria is free!

Sister Gloria Narvaez receives a blessing from Pope Francis - image Vatican News

Source: Vatican News

A Franciscan Missionary Sister who was held captive for more than four years in Mali was freed on Saturday. Sister Gloria Narvaez, 59, met Pope Francis the day after her release from captivity, on Sunday morning at the Mass celebrated for the start of the Synodal process.

Sister Gloria was abducted by Jihadi gunmen, on February 7th 2017 at Koutiala, close to the border with Burkina Faso, 400 kms from the Capital of Mali.

There had been few reports about her since she was abducted. But earlier this year, two Europeans who managed to escape captivity reported that she was well. Then in March, her brother received a letter from her confirming she was still alive.

The Archbishop of Mumako, Jean Zerbo, confirmed that Sister Gloria was safe and well. He said: "I thank the Authorities and good people, who have brought about her release. We have prayed long and hard for this day."

A statement from the office of Mali's president said Sister Gloria's release had come after the "combined effort of several intelligences services". It praised her "courage and bravery."

Sister Gloria, said on state TV she was grateful to Malian authorities "for all the efforts you've made to liberate me". She added: "I am very happy, I stayed healthy for five years, thank God".

Mali has been struggling to contain a growing Islamist insurgency that began in the north of the country in 2012. Kidnappings have become more common in the former French colony as the security crisis has deepened. More than 935 people have been kidnapped since 2017.