Indian priest Tom Uzhunnalil may still be alive

Salesian Priest Tom Uzhunnalil is still nowhere to be found after his reported abduction in Yemen two months ago, but Bishop Paul Hinder OFM Cap of Apostolic Vicar of Saudi Arabia who oversees the case is still hopeful.

The bishop released a statement to Fides News Agency saying, "The last words, which are quite reassuring, I received indirectly about ten days ago. I was told that Father Tom is alive, and that his return to freedom could be imminent." He was also quick to add that nothing significant has happened yet since then and that the Indian priest remains to be in their prayers. The Archdiocese of Vienna echoes the same hope as that of Bishop Hinder.

Uzhunnalil was kidnapped in early March when four suspected Islamic State terrorists raided a retirement home for the aged and disabled in Aden, Yemen run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity nuns. The attack caused the lives of 16 missionaries and patients. Pope Francis called the nuns as martyrs since they refuse to leave their missionary home despite persistent death threats. This was said during an address to the audience gathered in St. Peter's Square after the Angelus prayer, as reported by Vatican Radio.

Last March, a false announcement from the Cardinal of Vienna Christoph Schönborn during his Easter Vigil Mass sparked rumors that the kidnappers had threatened to execute Uzhunnalil through crucifixion on Good Friday. However, Bishop Hinder was quick to deny such reports via a statement given to Catholic News Agency. 

The Indian authorities are involved in the negotiation for the release of the Salesian priest. The government is tight-lipped regarding any details of their investigation for security purposes but firmly assures that they're actively in pursuit of the priest's rescue. According to his tweet on March 26, Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj posted, "We are making all efforts to secure his release."

Aside from Uzhunnalil, the Islamist terrorists also hold captive Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Gregoris Yohanna and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Boulos Yazii who were both abducted three years ago near Aleppo.