PIME appeals for Father Bossi’s release
Zamboanga (AsiaNews) – A “fully armed and well equipped” group is behind Fr Giancarlo Bossi’s abduction. His “capture [. . .] was carefully planned,” but in whose interest is still not known. We hope “persons of good will speak” their name.
This, in a nutshell, is what the missionaries from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Philippines ask in a statement released today. They urge anyone with information as to Father Bossi’s fate and whereabouts to come forward and help the search operations.
The statement, which was released on a blog set up to offer prayers and gather information about Father Giancarlo, ends on a note of hope that, “abandoned like Jesus on the cross, may we share with him and with all our people the joy of resurrection!”
Here is the full statement:
We Still Hope
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me”? [Mark 15:34]
Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, PIME, was kidnapped last June 10, 2007, in the Parish of Payao, Prelature of IPIL and Province of Zamboanga Sibugay. As of today June 21, 2007, no communication from the captors of anyone who can verify his conditions. As far as we know the captors and their masterminds have not yet been clearly identified, however the evidence points to a well-organized group who could make use of a pump boat, they were fully armed and well equipped and the capture of Fr. Giancarlo was carefully planned.
Who are these Captors and Masterminds? Who is behind this drama? Why don’t they declare their purpose? Why are they playing with the life of a person and religious leader serving the people in a remote area? Are they threatening everybody, even the whole Nation and the International Community? They must have a purpose. Some people must know about this plan.
The Government claims to be using all their resources in the search of the victim. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF] also declared that they have access to various armed groups in the area. Religious Leaders and believers of all Faiths are praying and pledging solidarity. Why the agony of suspense? What interests are involved? We can only plead for mercy.
We believe that God knows who is involved and why. But God may be waiting for some sincere and courageous person to reveal the truth… Like the bombings in Bansalan last week and elsewhere in Mindanao which suddenly destroy lives and leave many wounded to suffer for so long. Like the killings of committed people or the abductions and threats of others. Who can expose the masterminds of these atrocities? Is there some connection among these various incidents?
Certainly the God of Christians, Allah the Merciful and the God of the Tribals would like to free all victims and all of us from the fear caused by these incidents. We pray that persons of good will may dare to bring out the truth and free the nation from those disgraceful acts of tensions Fr. Giancarlo may feel abandoned like Jesus on the cross, may we share with him and with all our people the joy of resurrection.
The PIME Missionaries in the Philippines
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