21 October, Day 10. Update on kidnapping of Fr Michael Sinnott

Father Michael Sinnott with friends at a celebration

Fr Michael Sinnott - Day 10
21 October, 10:16pm Philippine time, 2:16pm GMT
by Fr Patrick O'Donoghue
Regional Director of the Columbans in the Philippines

We are coming to the end of Day 10 and Father Mick is entering into his 11th night in captivity. And we have no confirmed news of where he might be or how he may be. The waiting goes on. I found myself many times today wondering what he might be thinking and feeling. I’m sure he knows that we would be doing all we can to get him home, but it is a lonely vigil for him. May God fill him with peace and with hope and with trust.

As I was preparing for Mass this morning I got the inspiration to use the prayers for ‘Those Unjustly Deprived of Liberty’. And it wasn’t just Father Mick who I thought of but the countless thousands who are in similar situations. But Father Mick was very much ‘present’ to me and I hope that he experienced the presence of Jesus with him. By coincidence - or should we acknowledge the working of the Spirit? - I had an email from Fr John Burger (a member of the Columban General Council in Hong Kong) a little while ago to say that the Columbans on their annual retreat in Tagaytay also used this Mass this evening. The sustaining power of God is very much pervading this whole experience.

The prayer of Esther (Office of Readings) also permeated my day: ‘O God whose strength prevails over all, listen to the voice of the desperate, save us from the hand of the wicked, and free me from my fear’. It is the prayer of the vulnerable, a prayer of deep trust in the face of the disvalues of those who worship power and who seem to have the advantage. The vulnerable unite themselves to the One who chose the Way of Incarnation and choose to walk with him – in truth, in love, in trust.

For now I have chosen not to give anymore interviews. I did speak with some reporters. I understand their impatience when there is nothing to report, nothing new to add to the story and they are asked to write or say something on air! I try to get them to share what they feel and how they see the situation and I encourage them to keep the focus on Father Mick and on the effects his abduction has had on others, especially the people here in Pagadian. I urge them not to speculate or to give undue publicity to any of the groups who are suspected of taking him but to keep the pleas of so many people and groups for his release to the forefront.

I also met with Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar CSsR of Pagadian and some other priests as we sought to find some ‘clue’ to light the way forward. Rumours abound and some can even be humourous. But the elusive hard evidence is not there, as yet.

I had some visitors for supper tonight. People are kind and supportive. Fr Jim Mulroney (an Australian Columban who edits the Sunday Examiner) phoned from Hong Kong to tell me about their prayer vigil last Sunday night and to let me know that the messages of encouragement and goodwill, which were written by some of those who attended the Vigil in Hong Kong, are now on their way here. We hope to use them on Sunday when there will be another Interfaith Rally – a very lovely way of uniting the people of Hong Kong and Pagadian in prayer for Father Mick. What joy it would be if Sunday’s Rally were to one of thanksgiving for his safe release. May God watch over you this night, Father Mick, and bring you safely home soon!

Clarification by Columban Superior in the Philippines

[19 October 2009] There are reports in some media outlets that the Columban Missionaries in the Philippine Region have requested the help of the US Government to secure the safe release of Fr. Michael Sinnott [in photo]. I would like to clarify that the Columban Missionaries here in the Philippine Region did not in any way make such a request. Nor did we ask the Columbans in the US Region to make it for us.

The Columbans in the US Region, upon hearing of Fr. Mick’s abduction and on their own initiative, did send a letter to the Philippine Ambassador to the USA, Mr. Willy C. Gaa, to express their concern at the abduction of Fr. Mick and to respectfully convey this concern to the Philippine Government together with their request that “all peaceful measures be taken to locate Fr. Sinnott and negotiate his release”. Their letter to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton conveyed the same concern and request. This kind of concern is similar to what many others around the world have done and is something that we deeply appreciate.

As we, here in the Philippines, know, before any of these requests were made, the Philippine Government had not only expressed those same concerns but had acted swiftly on them. The task force that was set up immediately and chaired by Governor Cerilles is clear evidence of this. And I am very much aware of how, in a very short time, all possible resources of government were made available to ensure the good health of Fr. Mick and to obtain his safe release. I want to express again my sincere gratitude to all those involved and, indeed, to all those others who are doing everything possible to help. It is very heartening to me and to all Columbans to know this level of commitment to ensure Fr. Mick’s welfare.

I would be very concerned if people were to misinterpret what the Columbans in the US intended by their request. It is one of fraternal concern for their brother priest and should be seen as that and that alone. It would be most unfair to the Philippine Government and to the Columbans in the US if it were to be construed as anything else, especially a lack of interest or effort on the part of the government or government agencies here.

Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue
Regional Director
Philippine Region
Missionary Society of St. Columban

Bishop of Pagadian pleads for Father Sinnott

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Bishop of Pagadian tells Fides: “We ask for prayers from all the faithful of the world and the assistance of men of good will,” for abducted missionary.

Pagadian (Agenzia Fides) - “We are concerned. We are desperately trying – we hope it will be in a day or two – contact with Fr. Sinnott's abductors. We urgently need to give them the medicine he needs. In the mean time, we are waiting and praying. We ask the entire Catholic community of the world to unite their prayers to ours. We know that the Holy Father is accompanying us and praying for Fr. Sinnott. We ask God's help and call for concrete contributions for all men of good will that can provide useful information.” This is what Agenzia Fides was told by Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian, where on October 11, 80-year-old Irish Missionary of Saint Columban, Fr. Michael Sinnott, was abducted.

The Bishop told Fides: “There has still been no official contact established with the kidnappers. Various contradictory information has been going around and is yet to be verified. I recently met with the Crisis Team of the government and the army, which is working on the case. They have allocated funds and personnel to make every effort to find the missionary. We are still in the study phase. We are hoping for a peaceful solution to the ordeal, without a military attack or bloodshed. The objective is trying to save Fr. Sinnott's life, along with the lives of his kidnappers. Every human life is sacred. We hope and pray for a negotiation that can lead to a peaceful solution.”

In the meantime, the community in the area is working together: “Everyone is united to our appeal for his freedom. On Sunday, October 18, we organized a silent march in prayer, which passed by the mission where Fr. Sinnott lived and through the streets of Pagadian. Christians and Muslims walked side-by-side, all pleading for the life of Fr. Sinnott, a priest who was well-loved and respected by all.” The Bishop concludes: “I would like to remind the abductors that he is a consecrated man, a man of peace, a man who worked at the service of the poor and that they may free him, in this Year for Priests declared by the Pope, who reminds us of the respect, dignity, and precious work of priests.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2009)

20 October, Day 9. Update on kidnapped Fr Michael Sinnott

Fr Michael Sinnott - Day 9
20 October, 10pm Philippine time, 2pm GMT
by Fr Patrick O'Donoghue
Regional Director of the Columbans in the Philippines

Fr Michael Sinnott on outing with staff and children of Hangop Kabataan

The Gospel this morning set the 'theme' of the day: 'See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return . . .' The lamp is lit – it is in the window of our house and we are waiting and hoping for a speedy return of the ‘master’ of the house. The Liturgy, as is often the case when there is heightened awareness, spoke right into my heart this morning. And I had this heightened sense of expectancy – maybe today we would hear something. I reflected again on some of the 'little hints' we have been receiving and while trying not to exaggerate their importance, I knew that I was 'expecting' something to happen.

In was in this mindset that I went to visit Bishop Cabajar CSsR of Pagadian after breakfast. But there was nothing substantially new. And that is the way it remained throughout the day. The sense of ‘quiet’ that I spoke of yesterday was, if anything, more pronounced. There were fewer people coming and I even got some other work done! Part of this, of course, is that people are, in their own ways, trying to continue with their ‘normal’ lives. But Mick’s abduction is always there and the question is always the same: 'any news?', 'has there been contact?' The expectancy gives way to sadness on the face or in the voice when I have to admit 'no, nothing that we can verify'.

The messages continue to come in. Reading them the thought struck me that the 'darkness' of this moment is like the background stage that allows Father Mick’s goodness and authenticity to be in the spotlight. Against the backdrop of what has happened to him, the simple genuine kindness of the man comes fully into view. He is the light that is shining in this darkness and he is drawing many people to a deeper sense of the God in whom they say they trust – the God who walks with us in the darkness and assures us the dawn will come. People don’t have answers but they have their faith. And that faith urges them on to pray all the more to the God who himself knew the depths of suffering. Is it coincidence that this week we began the Book of Esther in the Office of Readings – the great story of how God upturns evil intent? Esther asked her people to fast and pray with her. Mick did not ask anyone but thousands and thousands across the world (some who never heard of him before his abduction) have chosen to pray – and fast – with and for him. We might ponder on this and its meaning.

Vatican Radio called again to know if there was any update. But even without any new developments they still asked me for an interview, which I gave. I used the opportunity to say thanks publicly to Pope Benedict for mentioning Father Mick at the Angelus last Sunday – Mission Sunday. Many people were touched by this gesture. Some others called as well, including RTE [Irelands national radio and TV service]. Other events are taking the headlines but he is not forgotten – many are waiting and hoping for good news. These reporters have a job to do, but most of them are genuinely concerned as well – that is evident to me. They, too, want to be able to rejoice.

And so it is evening and Father Mick enters into his tenth night of captivity and our thoughts are with him wherever he may be. The 'expectancy' was not fulfilled today . . . but maybe tomorrow. Hope is a wonderful gift and it is a gift. May it fill Father Mick’s heart and ours this night.

Prayer rally for Fr Michael Sinnott

Deaf pupils from a school Father Michael Sinnott established for children with special needs appeal for his releas

By Auring Luceño

Auring is a Columban lay missionary from Pagadian who has served in Pakistan and also in leadership positions internationally and in the Philippines.

A prayer rally was organized yesterday, October 18, 2009, by the Hangop Kabataan. Many many concerned individuals from the different faith groups, NGOs and media people in Pagadian City participated. The march took off from the Hangop Kabataan center and finished by the seawall area where Fr. Mick was actually loaded into a pumpboat on the night he was abducted by armed men. Streamers and placards appealing for the safe release of Fr. Mick were bannered by the marchers while praying the holy rosary.

A short program followed by the seawall area in Sta. Lucia after the march. An invocation was rendered by a group of older deaf students of Hangop Kabataan. It was followed by the sharing of individual testimonies and appeals from the parents of some of the Hangop Kabataan students. Many of them spoke of their personal experience of Fr. Mick’s selflessness, and his love and dedication to the children and adults with special needs. Some of the parents introduced their children as they spoke of how they have finally found expression and direction in their lives having been helped by the Hangop Kabataan which was founded by Fr. Mick.

Muslim men and women take part in the
prayer rally in Pagadian City

Bai Macaumbang Ca Tong, a Muslim princess of Pagadian and an active leader of the Muslim women made her appeal to the abductors. Likewise, she spoke of how Pagadian was then in the past, when Pagadianons* lived so simply and peacefully together: Muslims, Christians and the Subanens. She expressed her grief and pain over the present peace and order situation of the city especially of the abduction of someone like Fr. Mick who undoubtedly loved Pagadian and chose to live and serve the Pagadianons. It was another very moving moment when all the Hangop Kabataan students offered an interpretative number expressing their prayer and plea for the safe and immediate release of Fr. Mick. This was followed by the reading of the Appeals/Statements on the abduction of Fr. Mick from Msgr. Emmanuel Cabajar of the Catholic Diocese of Pagadian, from Sheik Esmael Calalagan of the Association for Islamic Development, from the Umma Fi Salam, and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society. Before the program closed with the singing of the song “Heal our Land”, everyone was invited to the prayer vigil for the release of Fr. Mick held every 5 o’clock in the afternoon at the San Jose Parish church.

* Somebody who comes from Pagadian.

Monday night, 19 October, update on kidnapped Fr Michael Sinnott

Fr Michael Sinnott - Day 8

by Fr Patrick O'Donoghue

Regional Director of the Columbans in the Philippines

It is 8pm Monday and we are entering into Father Mick’s ninth day of captivity. It was a quiet day here at the house and that reflected the sense of ‘quiet’ in terms of news also. I felt that kind of ‘quiet’ when you wonder what might be going on. I got updates from a number of sources throughout the day but little fresh news. Some names of places keep recurring but what is lacking is any ‘sound’ confirmation.

The efforts to get people to give whatever information they have continue and over 10,000 new ‘flyers’ with special cell-phone numbers were distributed especially in coastal areas. The immediate purpose of this is to try to make sure that Father Mick has access to his medication. And the list of that medication is easily available. Other efforts of course continue but I have begun to ‘settle down’ to wait. Today is the 39th anniversary of Fr Martin Dempsey’s death in Balabagan. I prayed to him this morning at Mass asking him to intercede

in a special way today for Fr Mick’s freedom. (Columban Fr Dempsey, in photo, was shot dead by a student in the Catholic high school in the parish in Mindanao where he served) It would have had appropriateness in my own scheme of things if Father Mick were to be freed today. But my scheme – that drive in all of us to have predictability and control! – is not necessarily that of God’s. And so we wait on God’s time.

The focus of the day for me began to emerge around 9am when I got the first of a number of phone calls from the media asking me about the Columban request for US ‘intervention’, ‘help’ or ‘involvement’ (the various words used) in the search for Father Mick. The Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday (Sunday) had an accurate account of what was asked by the Columbans in the US Region. It was a balanced piece and also reported on the calls from Muslim leaders in both Lanao provinces for the immediate release of Father Mick and asking their people to help in freeing him. But other reports had it that it was the Columbans here in the Philippines that had asked for assistance from the US Government. And it was this point that kept recurring in the questions that I was getting: why did we ask for this kind of help? So I thought it best to issue a clarification. I did a draft and put it by a few people for comment and then I did the final version, which I hope captures the intention and the actual request of what was being asked and by whom. The issue is solidarity, for which we are grateful, and not ‘intervention”’ I sent it first to the CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines) [read their report here] news desk and also to UCANews. I also gave it to the Information Officer for the Governor who is dealing with the media here in Pagadian. I have attached a copy so that you can see what I wrote.

GMA7 (TV Station) also came to see me but I declined to be interviewed for TV. I did, however, have a long conversation with the team who came and was able to give them background on the long Columban association with this whole area, our ability to deal with the conflicts that swept the area in years past, especially during Martial Law (we somehow knew what we were dealing with then and could manage risk accordingly) and why we could never have envisaged that one of our priests would be taken from his own house. And the effects of this now.

There were some callers to the house and many phone calls. There were many more emails, too. One of them, forwarded to my by Fr Shay Cullen, was from Bishop Romolo De La Cruz of Kidapawan. I am not sure if I mentioned that Archbishop Capalla of Davao sent a fax early last week. And many Columban Sisters and Lay Missionaries have been in touch. My continued thanks go to all. Some day when we will, God willing, be celebrating Father Mick’s freedom I will try to have all these collated and acknowledged.

There was one email from a fellow Columban, who shall be nameless, which I found particularly insightful and (without asking his permission!) I am quoting from it here.

‘He doesn't have his daily Mass, but he is living it. He will see that whole experience as an encounter with the Suffering Jesus. I wouldn't be able for that. Mick is away ahead of us all spiritually. But he won't like all the publicity. That's part of what the Lord is asking him.’

How true! I am also attaching what Auring Luceño wrote about the Rally yesterday here in Pagadian and there is another account of this with pictures at UCANEWS.COM. (I have posted the UCAN report already but will post Auring’s article separately). There was a prayer vigil in Hong Kong, which I know will feature in the Sunday Examiner there this week. There were prayers all over Ireland too. It was only today that I heard that the Irish GOAL worker and her companion held in the Sudan had been released. May we soon be celebrating his release too.

May the God of peace continue to sustain Father Mick and us.

Fr Martin Dempsey

Killed in Balabagan, Mindanao, Philippines, on 19 October 1970. Father Martin had reprimanded a 14 year old student in the parish high school for a breach of discipline in the morning. The student, accompanied by his 17-year-old brother, returned in the afternoon, armed with a revolver and a carbine. They shot Father Martin dead. He was 35 years old. Father Martin was born in Dublin on 18 August 1934. Educated Dominican convent School, Muckross, Donnybrook, Dublin, 1940-1943; Xavier College, Donnybrook 1944-1946; Ring College, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, 1947; Presentation College, Bray, 1948-1952; Kevin Street Institute of Science and Technology, Dublin, 1953. Came to Dalgan (St Columban's seminary in Ireland) 1954 and ordained there 1961. Went to Philippines in 1962.

Christians, Muslims rally for release of Fr Michael Sinnott

Christians, Muslims rally for release of kidnapped priest
October 19, 2009

Muslim men and women take part
in the prayer rally in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- About 300 Muslims and Christians called for the release of Columban Father Michael Sinnott as they marched along the route the priest's armed kidnappers are believed to have taken.

As they walked, Christians prayed the rosary and Muslims carried candles. They brandished streamers and placards, one of which read: "Return to us Father Mick SAFE and SOUND."

Some people could be seen weeping during the Oct. 18 event in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur.

The previous Sunday, armed men forced their way through the gate of St. Columban's Residence in Pagadian City, seized 79-year-old Father Sinnott and bundled him into a van. They later transferred him to a boat, which headed out to sea.

Police found the charred shell of the van in a suburb of Santa Lucia, a Zamboanga del Sur town. The provincial governor's office on Oct. 15 released sketches of three suspected kidnappers based on witnesses' accounts.

No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Mothers of children attending Hangop Kabataan (care for youth), a foundation the priest founded for children with special needs, helped organize the Oct. 18 prayer rally.

It began at 9 a.m. at the school the foundation runs, which Father Sinnott established in 1998. About 500 children, parents, Church workers, parishioners and members of interfaith and non-governmental groups gathered for the event.

Before the procession, deaf children of the school performed two dances expressing their "deep pain and sorrow" over the kidnapping of the cheerful Irish missioner they call 'Tatay' (father).

"Our children need him," one sobbing mother told UCA News as she watched.

Besides parents of the children the foundation serves, the Muslims and non-Christians who attended the rally were mostly the priest's co-members in the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace. That organization of Christians, Muslims and indigenous people with native beliefs was formed to build understanding and peace in Pagadian diocese.

Father Patrick O'Donoghue, director of Columbans in the Philippines, who was out of the city at the time of the rally, later expressed gratitude for the initiative.

Deaf pupils from a school Father Michael Sinnott established
for children with special needs appeal for his release

"I wish I could have been there," he told UCA News. Earlier, he said his congregation remains most concerned about the health of their kidnapped confrere, who had a heart bypass in 2007.

Father O'Donoghue also said there was no truth to media reports that Columbans had sought US aid for the search and rescue of Father Sinnott. He acknowledged that Columbans in the US had written to the Philippine ambassador there and to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton expressing concern, but said this was their own initiative.

Columbans in the Philippines were pleased with efforts by local authorities, he added.

The Crisis Management Committee for the search and rescue of Father Sinnott, headed by Governor Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur, reported on Oct. 17 that it had no leads but was focusing its operations on Zamboanga del Sur, and the adjoining provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.

Pope Benedict XVI referred to the kidnapping when he addressed pilgrims in Rome Oct. 18, in St Peter's Square.

"On this World Mission Day, I wish to remember the men and women missionaries -- priests, religious men and women and lay volunteers -- who consecrate their total life to bringing the Gospel to the world, facing hardships and difficulties and at time even true and proper persecutions," he said.

"I am thinking, among others of Father Ruggero Ruvoletto, an (Italian) Fidei Donum priest, who was recently killed in Brazil, and of Father Michael Sinnott," who the Pope noted had been "kidnapped some days ago in the Philippines."

Father Ruvoletto, 52, was shot dead on Sept. 20 in Manaus, capital of Brazil's Amazonas state, in what appears to have been a robbery.

On Oct. 14, the bishops of Ireland called for their countryman's release in a press release ahead of World Mission Sunday.