Missionary Society of St. Columban report: “Fr. Michael Sinnott Kidnapped in the Philippines”
Missionary Society – Microsoft Word Report on Fr. Sinnott Kidnapping
Photo of Fr. Michael Sinnott from Missionary Society of St. Columban
“Dear Friends,
“As some of you may already know, Columban Fr. Mick Sinnott was kidnapped in the Philippines on Sunday. We ask for your prayers and your action. We have attached two letters, one to send to the Philippine Ambassador and one for Secretary of State Hilary Clinton requesting that peaceful measures be taken to negotiate for his release. We ask that you respond in all due haste, as Fr. Sinnott has a heart condition and is, as far as we know, without his medication.”
“We have received word that actions are being taken in the Philippines. Bishop Manny Cabajar has attended a crisis meeting of various provincial/ government/police personnel and was informed that an intensive search is underway. ”
sinnot_action_alert_letter_clinton
sinnot_action_alert_letter_gaa
“Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach”
“Missionary Society of St. Columban”
“1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 405”
“Silver Spring, MD 20910”
“301-565-4547”
Recommended Action Alert Faxes to Secretary of State Clinton and Ambassador Gaa
October 12, 2009
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Fax: 202-647-8947
Dear Secretary Clinton:
It is with deep concern that I write to inform you of the recent abduction of an Irish missionary priest, Columban Fr. Michael Sinnott in Pagadian, Philippines. According to reports, he was kidnapped from his home on October 11, 2009 at approximately 7:20 p.m. local time. Fr. Sinnott was taken away in a vehicle by 4-6 men. The vehicle was later abandoned and burned. It is believed that the abductors took Fr. Sinnott to a speed boat and fled across Pagadian Bay.
I am writing as a person deeply concerned for Fr. Sinnott’s safety. Columban missionaries are deeply committed to the well-being of the people of the Philippines. Fr. Sinnott has lived for 40 years in the Philippines, and one of his most recent ministries has been in a school for children and young adults with special needs in Pagadian City.
We ask that all peaceful measures be taken to locate Fr. Sinnott and negotiate his release.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this most urgent request.
Yours sincerely,
October 12, 2009
Ambassador Willy C. Gaa
Fax: 202-467-9417
Dear Mr. Ambassador Gaa,
It is with deep concern that I write to inform you of the recent abduction of an Irish missionary priest, Columban Fr. Michael Sinnott in Pagadian, Philippines. According to reports, he was kidnapped from his home on October 11, 2009 at approximately 7:20 p.m. local time. Fr. Sinnott was taken away in a vehicle by 4-6 men. The vehicle was later abandoned and burned. It is believed that the abductors then took Fr. Sinnott to a speed boat and fled across Pagadian Bay.
I am writing as a person deeply concerned for Fr. Sinnott’s safety. Columban missionaries are deeply committed to the well-being of the people of the Philippines. Fr. Sinnott has lived for 40 years in the Philippines, and one of his most recent ministries has been in a school for children and young adults with special needs in Pagadian City.
We ask that all peaceful measures be taken to locate Fr. Sinnott and negotiate his release.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this most urgent request.
Yours sincerely,
October 13 News Media Reports:
Navy tries to seal off Irish priest’s kidnappers
— AFP: “Philippine navy gunboats were deployed and road blocks set up Tuesday to block the escape route of suspected Islamic militants who abducted an elderly Irish priest, authorities said.”
— Inquirer.net: “Military reports indicating the priest, who is two months short of his 80th birthday, was alive came amid concerns from his colleagues that Sinnott, who had a quadruple heart bypass several years ago, may not survive the ordeal.”
— London Times: “An Irish priest who was kidnapped in the southern Philippines earlier this week has been seen alive in an area known to be a stronghold of Muslim militants, a military official said. ‘The victim and his kidnappers were sighted in Lanao del Sur,’ General Dolorfino told reporters, but he declined to give specific details so as not to jeopardise a rescue attempt.”
— London Telegraph: “Father Michael Sinnott, an elderly Irish priest kidnapped in the southern Philippines, has been seen alive in an area known to be a stronghold of Muslim militants, a military official has said”
— Chronology of Abu Sayyaf kidnappings
— Manila Bulletin: “MILF denies involvement in Irish priest’s abduction”
October 12 News Media Reports:
Daily Mail: Irish priest, 78, taken hostage ‘by Muslim gunmen’ in Philippines — Father Michael Sinnott
— Daily Mail reports: “Six gunmen dragged the Rev. Michael Sinnott into a van in front of his horrified aides at his compound in Pagadian City on Mindano island in the south of the country”
— Search operations for abducted Irish priest underway in Mindanao
— London Times: “Irish missionary Michael Sinnott kidnapped from convent in Philippines”