Sinnott thanks followers for prayers for release
After spending one month in captivity, Irish missionary Michael Sinnott gave his heartfelt thanks to those who prayed for his early release, even as his colleagues offered prayers for the peace process in Mindanao.
Sinnott expressed his sincere appreciation for those who prayed for him during a thanksgiving Mass at the Our Lady of Remedies Church in Manila’s Malate district last Saturday.
"I have been amazed at the number of people who have been praying for me ... I cannot help but be amazed by the extent of coverage of my captivity not only here in the country and in my hometown in Ireland, but elsewhere around the world," he said during the Mass.
For their part, Sinnott’s fellow Columban missionaries in the Philippines offered prayers over the weekend for the success of the peace process in the troubled region of Mindanao.
The Missionary Society of St. Columban led by the congregation's regional superior Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue held a thanksgiving Mass Saturday for the release of the 79-year-old Sinnott.
"I believe, now, that God in Hhis providence, listening to our prayers for Mick’s peaceful release, is now answering in a much louder way—as peace process in Mindanao seems to have gained ‘newer life,’" he said in his homily.
Excerpts of Sinnott’s statement and O’Donoghue’s homily were posted Sunday night on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site.
Armed men abducted Sinnott in Pagadian City October 11, and freed him before dawn last November 12.
While critics of Malacañang said the release was timed with the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Malacañang insisted it was a coincidence.
On the other hand, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for Sinnott’s abduction but the MILF denied the claim, noting even Sinnott had exonerated them.
During the Mass last Saturday, Sinnott said people who never met or knew him prayed for his safe release.
Primitive ordeal
He said his ordeal in captivity was "very difficult and primitive" but added his captors did their best to "make the situation as easy for me."
The missionary admitted being annoyed during the first few days in captivity because "the days were long and the nights were longer." He said he had nothing to do but pray.
But he said he surrendered his life to God knowing “He would take care of me." He called on the faithful to continue praying for him and his mission as he assured them of his prayers.
For his part, O’Donoghue called on the congregation to pray for the peaceful end of all present kidnapping incidents.
Authorities have been blaming the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf to recent abductions in southern Philippines.
O’Donoghue also appealed to the faithful to “put the entire peace process into the lands and heart of Our Lady of Remedies."
“Truly, God has done good things these past few weeks—and on Thursday morning took the most precious gift of all when Fr. Mick walked to freedom in Zamboanga City," O’Donoghue said.
Also, he said he is thankful for Fr. Sinnott’s safe release “secured through understanding, negotiation and compassion."
“From the beginning, I believed the captors were capable of compassion and I believe now, they were and that’s what I remember them for," he said.
Peace pact with MILF
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it is hopeful the MILF will consider forging a peace pact with the government before President Arroyo’s term ends in June 2010.
“It is better for the MILF to seal a peace deal with this administration because this administration has demonstrated very consistently its desire to achieve equitable, genuine, lasting peace in Mindanao, something that the MILF cannot be assured of in the next administration," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a media briefing in Singapore Saturday.
Remonde said government would continue using both soft and hard power, interfaith dialogue, authentic consultations with communities, and the principles of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration for all armed rebel groups. - GMANews.TV
Sinnott expressed his sincere appreciation for those who prayed for him during a thanksgiving Mass at the Our Lady of Remedies Church in Manila’s Malate district last Saturday.
"I have been amazed at the number of people who have been praying for me ... I cannot help but be amazed by the extent of coverage of my captivity not only here in the country and in my hometown in Ireland, but elsewhere around the world," he said during the Mass.
For their part, Sinnott’s fellow Columban missionaries in the Philippines offered prayers over the weekend for the success of the peace process in the troubled region of Mindanao.
The Missionary Society of St. Columban led by the congregation's regional superior Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue held a thanksgiving Mass Saturday for the release of the 79-year-old Sinnott.
"I believe, now, that God in Hhis providence, listening to our prayers for Mick’s peaceful release, is now answering in a much louder way—as peace process in Mindanao seems to have gained ‘newer life,’" he said in his homily.
Excerpts of Sinnott’s statement and O’Donoghue’s homily were posted Sunday night on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site.
Armed men abducted Sinnott in Pagadian City October 11, and freed him before dawn last November 12.
While critics of Malacañang said the release was timed with the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Malacañang insisted it was a coincidence.
On the other hand, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for Sinnott’s abduction but the MILF denied the claim, noting even Sinnott had exonerated them.
During the Mass last Saturday, Sinnott said people who never met or knew him prayed for his safe release.
Primitive ordeal
He said his ordeal in captivity was "very difficult and primitive" but added his captors did their best to "make the situation as easy for me."
The missionary admitted being annoyed during the first few days in captivity because "the days were long and the nights were longer." He said he had nothing to do but pray.
But he said he surrendered his life to God knowing “He would take care of me." He called on the faithful to continue praying for him and his mission as he assured them of his prayers.
For his part, O’Donoghue called on the congregation to pray for the peaceful end of all present kidnapping incidents.
Authorities have been blaming the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf to recent abductions in southern Philippines.
O’Donoghue also appealed to the faithful to “put the entire peace process into the lands and heart of Our Lady of Remedies."
“Truly, God has done good things these past few weeks—and on Thursday morning took the most precious gift of all when Fr. Mick walked to freedom in Zamboanga City," O’Donoghue said.
Also, he said he is thankful for Fr. Sinnott’s safe release “secured through understanding, negotiation and compassion."
“From the beginning, I believed the captors were capable of compassion and I believe now, they were and that’s what I remember them for," he said.
Peace pact with MILF
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it is hopeful the MILF will consider forging a peace pact with the government before President Arroyo’s term ends in June 2010.
“It is better for the MILF to seal a peace deal with this administration because this administration has demonstrated very consistently its desire to achieve equitable, genuine, lasting peace in Mindanao, something that the MILF cannot be assured of in the next administration," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a media briefing in Singapore Saturday.
Remonde said government would continue using both soft and hard power, interfaith dialogue, authentic consultations with communities, and the principles of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration for all armed rebel groups. - GMANews.TV
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