ehonian
missionary Father Giuseppe Pierantoni, detained by kidnappers for
six months, was set free by a special police force operation early
in the morning, Monday 8 April. Father "Bepe", as he is
called affectionately by his parishioners, was abducted on 17
October from his parish in Dimataling, diocese of Pagadian, in
Zamboanga del Sur province, Mindanao. Some sources say a ransom of
about US$ 20,000 was paid for the release, other sources deny that
any money was paid.
"This is a miracle" Father Pierantoni told journalists at the president’s Palace in Manila where he had been accompanied to meet President Gloria Arroyo. The missionary, who is in good health, thanked the police, the government and the local Bishop Zacharias Jimenez for all the efforts made to obtain his release. He also said that this experience had been positive on the whole. "It was a radical change of life-style, I had so much time for prayer," he commented.
We hope the government will take steps to eliminate terrorism, mainly by eliminating poverty which is at the root of the trouble in Mindanao. We trust that, despite the danger, missionary Institutes will not stop sending priests to Mindanao. They are sorely needed.
In Pagadian both Christians and Muslims welcomed the news of the missionary’s release. Bishop Jimenez said: "We are very happy that Fr Bepe is free again. We thank all civil and military authorities who have worked to save his life. I also wish to thank the local Muslim community which has been very supportive all the time, supplying information. This is encouraging for further progress in interreligious dialogue." The Bishop states however that in Mindanao the situation of emergency continues, he said: "We hope the government will take steps to eliminate terrorism, mainly by eliminating poverty which is at the root of the trouble in Mindanao. We trust that, despite the danger, missionary Institutes will not stop sending priests to Mindanao. They are sorely needed".
All the local Sacred Heart missionaries met in Manila. Father Jerry Sheehy, Superior in the Philippines, told Fides: "We are overjoyed at the release of Fr Beppe. We are not sure about the details of the operation but the main thing is that he is free." Recently Father Sheehy had meetings with government officials and leading members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MILF, one of the Muslim separatist rebel groups on Mindanao. Father Sheehy is convinced that Father Pierantoni was kidnapped by members of the so-called Pentagon group, a MILF break away faction. The missionary was released thanks to a police operation, and not spontaneously released by his captors.
(From Fides)