Day of fasting and prayers held for the safe release of Sinnott

Manila: Prayers and fasting took place worldwide for the safe release of Father Michael Sinnott who was kidnapped by unidentified men in southern Philippines last month, a priest said.

"Many groups and individuals all over the world continue to pray for the safe return of Sinnott," Fr Pat O'Donoghue, regional director of the Missionary Society of St Columban, said in a statement.

Words of encouragement came from other Columban priests all over the world after the holding of a special day of prayer and fasting for the release of Sinnott, last Wednesday, O'Donoghue said.

Fr Dan O'Connor, a Columban priest from New Zealand, told O'Donoghue from Badin, Pakistan: "We Columbans here in Badin were joined by some parishioners and also a Muslim man came for a while to join us in the church in prayer for Fr Sinnott.

"I also spoke with the leader in the nearby mosque who assured me that he would also pray for Father Mick's safe release with big voice.

"While out in the village called Umawha, we offered Mass for Father Mick. A number of Hindus also attended the Mass."

"If the kidnappers were to look at the man they are holding and see him for who he is and not as a means for making money, and in compassion release him immediately, then we would remember them as men of compassion and not as kidnappers," said O'Donoghue, adding that worldwide prayers are being encouraged to help soften the hearts of Sinnott's kidnappers.

"One of the agencies in Rome asked me if I really thought these men were capable of compassion. It was an honest question that deserved an honest answer. I replied that if I were to answer simply from a human point of view, I would have to say probably not. But I prefer to continue to see this from the horizon of faith," said O'Donoghue, adding this is the reason why prayers were encouraged to be said worldwide for Sinnott's release.

"While people pray, others continue to work for his release. There were a number of meetings ... I believe that they were helpful, but there is no simple solution. Patience is still needed. But it helps to know that a lot is being done," he said.