RSSHundreds marched through Pagadian City recently to show solidarity with kidnapped priest Father Michael Sinnott as local authorities offered a reward of 200,000 pesos (US$4,255) for information on him.
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Church officials told UCA News they had not heard back from messengers sent to deliver heart medication to the 79-year-old priest on Oct. 21.
More than 100 people in the crowd were children with special needs from the Hangop Kabataan (care for youth) rehabilitation center Father Sinnott founded.
The priest was snatched by an unknown group from the Columban house grounds in Pagadian City in southern Philippines on Oct. 11 and has not been heard of since.
The crisis committee in charge of finding the Irish priest on Oct. 23 approved the city council´s resolution to offer a reward to anyone with information as to his whereabouts.
Information must include a “proof of life” and the crisis committee would pay the reward if the information pointed to his exact location, it said.
The city council is also reportedly appealing to civic organizations for funds to add to the reward.
Governor Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur has reportedly appealed to “anybody who has essential information regarding the whereabouts of Father Sinnott, as well as the delivery of medicines to him,” to contact the task force.
The three-hour prayer rally on Oct. 24, calling for Father Sinnott´s release was organized by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace to which the priest belongs.
Most participants wore white shirts printed with Father Sinnott´s face and a ribbon pin in blue, the priest´s favorite color.
Some of the children he had helped addressed the crowd, speaking of their sorrow at the much-loved priest´s kidnapping.
Carleen Lafuente, 14, who was born with deformed legs but can now walk thanks to Father Sinnott´s foundation, made an emotional plea to the priest´s captors.
“From my heart, I beg those who took Father Mick Sinnott — please, please have mercy on him. Have mercy on us special children under his care,” she said in the local Cebuano language.
Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian Diocese read from his pastoral letter on Father Sinnott´s kidnapping.
“We are hoping and praying that Father Mick will remain strong and zealous despite the difficulty he is experiencing right now,” the bishop told the crowd.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, police suspect a splinter group from either the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group or from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, may be responsible.
Sultan Maguid Maruhom, a Muslim convener of the interfaith forum, said the kidnapping hurt Muslims who are friends of the priest, especially when reports referred to the abductors as “Muslims.”
Immediate concerns are for the priest´s health. He underwent heart bypass surgery in 2007 and must take medicine every day.
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