UPDATE: ‘I know Father Tom well, and that face is not definitely his’

A Salesian friend forwarded this to me late today. It’s a communication from the Salesians in Bangalore, regarding the kidnapped priest, the Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil. Earlier today, reports indicated a picture of him had appeared on Facebook.

The Salesians indicate, however, that it doesn’t look like him. 

Read on:

Greetings.

I thought of sharing some informaiton on Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil. There is a photo of his going the rounds on Facebook and newspapers in India seem to be speaking about him. But I would like to inform you of the following.

1. Yesterday I had called up both the Secretary of the Province of Bangalore, the official spokesperson of the Province and the Office of Bp. Paul Hinder, of the Vicariate of Southern Arabia with his See in Abu Dhabi. Both of them have denied that there is any “novità” with regard to the situation of Fr. Tom. If there is anything new the Bishop will inform us and Bangalore.

2. However it appears that the question is taking a “racial turn” with the newspapers in Kerala seeming to suggest that “if the missionary involved were a European something would have been done by now!”  This is the tone of the article in the Malayala Manorama, the most widely circulated and respected daily, with a Christian, though not Catholic, ownership.

3. The photo which appears in the Facebook is not definitely that of Fr. Tom and appears to have been doctored. I know Fr. Tom well and the face is not definitely his. Thought of sharing this information and opinion with you.

With kind regards and assurance of prayers,

Fr. Thomas Anchukandam sdb.