An Indian priest who was kidnapped by the self-proclaimed Islamic State, was crucified on Good Friday. Father Thomas Uzhunnalil was kidnapped on March 4 during an attack on the Missionaries of Charity's home run for elderly people in Aden.
According to media reports in the Indian and the western media, Father Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday. The reports claims that his execution was confirmed at the Easter Vigil Mass by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna.
However, member of Father Thomas' order have denied that he is due to be crucified, saying they have no information on his death or whereabouts.
Earlier, the Indian government had confirmed the capture of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian national from the state of Kerala. India's External Affairs Minister had said that efforts were underway to ensure that he is released.
Father Joseph Chinnayyan, deputy secretary general and director of the CBCI, told The Indian Express that the Indian church could not confirm reports of the priest’s death.
“We have checked with all reliable sources, no one could confirm the news. I even spoke to the Austrian agency that put out the news. It got its information from informal sources, so it’s not a baseless report,” he said.
Chinnayyan said the CBCI is meeting India's external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj for more clarity.
