Father Thomas Uzhunnalil, who was released from his kidnappers on Sept 12, says his Islamic abductors who spoke Arabic did not mistreat him but provided him with medicine for his severe diabetic condition.
Father Uzhunnalil said throughout his captivity, he celebrated Mass daily, remem-bering readings and parts of text, without liturgical texts or species to celebrate.
Father Uzhunnalil appeared calm and answered the questions of the confreres but without giving much details. He recalled that he was kidnapped from the chapel of the community of the Missionaries of Charity of Aden. He was moved two or three times but always blindfolded in such circumstances, the report said.
“I never thought I could be killed,” said the priest.
“No ransom was paid and the reason why Oman got into the efforts for release is… when direct efforts do not yield results, indirect measures are adopted and what’s important is to solve the problem,” Singh said while addressing the media here. On a question when the priest is expected to return to India, the Minister said: “He (Tom) will have to decide that.”
