ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/14 Oct) -- Bishop Emmanuel T. Cabajar of the Diocese of Pagadian, in a letter circulated among religious leaders, appealed to the suspected abductors of Irish Columban missionary Michael Sinnott to free the priest and "have pity on him."
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), meanwhile, called for the “immediate-unconditional release” of the priest even as it cautioned the military and the police to spare the civilians from harm should they launch a rescue mission against the abductors.
Sinnott, 79, was abducted by three or four armed men while he was walking around his convent 7:30 p.m. last October 11 at Pagadian city.
"He is a peace-loving priest and has been sincerely serving our communities for some time in good faith," Cabajar said in Cebuano.
Cabajar related that Sinnott has greatly helped the special children who are considered mentally challenged, deaf and blind. “Prior to his abduction he founded and even served as coordinator of the Hangop Kabataan in 2008, a dwelling place for both Muslim and Christian children who need special attention,” seconded the CBCS.
The bishop urged Sinnot’s abductors to allow him to continue his mission. “Please do not deprive the children of his care and the welfare he could offer,” the bishop said.
Cabajar also wrote that "the priest has a delicate health because he is old and sickly."
"He would be happy if you would give him his liberty so that he can continue his priestly vocation," the bishop pleaded.
"His life is a mirror of peace and love -- our common dream. Let that devotion for love and peace be nourished with liberating respect to Fr. Sinnott. Let him come home," Cabajar said.
The CBCS, in a statement, said that the abduction was “an act of utter savagery, which is diametrically opposed to the tenets of Islam and Christianity.”
But the group said they were also saddened by the fact that the “government has remained inefficient to protect and preserve the safety of the citizenry” despite the huge funds appropriated by Congress for security, intelligence and national defense. (Violeta M. Gloria / MindaNews)
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