Indian aid worker abducted in Kabul, Kolkata archbishop praying for her

Judith D'Souza works for the Agha Khan Network in the Afghan capital. Unidentified men seized her last night. Indian authorities are doing everything to get her release. “Judith is someone involved in improving the lives of many people in difficulty,” said a pained Archbishop D’Souza.

Kolkata (AsiaNews) - A group of unidentified men last night abducted an Indian aid worker in Kabul.

Judith D'Souza, a 40-year-old Catholic woman, works with the Agha Khan Network in Afghanistan to raise awareness about the role of women, something that runs against the strong patriarchal traditions of the country and Islam.

Mgr Thomas D'Souza, archbishop of Kolkata, spoke to AsiaNews about the situation. “We pray for her safe release and return. Judith is someone involved in improving the lives of many people in difficulty,” the prelate said.

“I assure the family of my prayers and our support. She is from the Fatima Parish, and just last month she visited her parents,” he added.

“We know that the government is working for her release,” he explained. “In addition to being available to help, we continue to pray, especially to Our Lady of Fatima. May Judith soon come home to her family through her intercession.”

Several Indian Embassy sources in Kabul said that Indian authorities are working on the issue.

For their part, Afghan security forces are making every effort to elucidate the case and secure the aid worker’s release.

• afghanistan
• india
• abduction
• aid worker
• catholic church
• kolkata
• archbishop
• judith d’souza
• thomas d’souza