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Conflicting Reports Surround Fate of Kidnapped Priest

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Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 03/28/16

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While the priest’s order has not confirmed the execution, multiple reports say it’s true, citing as their source the cardinal archbishop of Vienna.

Details: 

The Indian Catholic priest kidnapped by ISIS-linked terrorists in Yemen earlier this month was crucified on Good Friday, it has been claimed.

Father Thomas Uzhunnalil, 56, was taken by Islamist gunmen, reportedly linked to ISIS, who attacked an old people’s home in Aden, southern Yemen, killing at least 15 people, on March 4.

The terrorists reportedly carried out the heinous murder on Good Friday, after threatening to do so earlier in the week, according to the Archbishop of Vienna.

It was reported last week that several religious groups had received threats that Father Thomas would be crucified on Good Friday, but this was denied by his church in hometown of Bangalore.

However, the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, told a congregation gathered in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Austrian capital that the priest had been crucified.

It is not known how the Archbishop became aware of Father Thomas’ alleged fate, but his confirmation of the crucifixion during Easter Vigil Mass was reported in Austrian media.

Read more. 

However, the Archdiocese of Vienna posted this statement late Sunday. Rough Google translation follows:

There is still uncertainty in the matter of the abducted and allegedly crucified Catholic priest Tom Uzhunnalil in Yemen. So the bishop responsible for the region, Paul Hinder to the German Catholic news agency (KNA) was cautiously optimistic on Sunday, March 27, 2016: He has reason to believe that the religious is alive and in the hands the kidnappers. He could not confirm reports of an alleged execution by Islamists. “There is still hope,” says Cardinal Schönborn on Sunday after he had spoken with bishops from the Arab world.

Stay tuned. And pray.

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