B'luru church rejoices at news of priest's release from Yemen

The news of Father Tom Uzhunnalil’s release was greeted with much cheer at the Bengaluru province of Salesians of Don Bosco Congregation in K R Puram.

“We are overwhelmed with joy. In the beginning, after he was abducted, we had no hope at all because there were rumours that he would be crucified. We had no news about him, except for the videos which were released,” said Father Anil D’Sa, youth director for Karnataka.

Fr Uzhunnalil had been rendering his services in Karnataka between 1993 and 2010. He was principal of Don Bosco Technical schools in Kolar, Bhadravathi and Hassan. He also headed the Kristu Jyoti College in K R Puram.

“He was technically qualified and very involved in working with youth. When the superiors asked him to go to Yemen to give spiritual help to the Mother Teresa sisters there, he offered himself willingly,” Fr D’Sa said.

Since his abduction, several prayers were held for him and rallies were organised to put pressure on the Centre to bring him back safely. Fr D’Sa said Fr Uzhunnalil would definitely be coming to Bengaluru though they do not know when, yet.