Media Release

Bengaluru, Sep 30: Salesians and Conference of Religious India, Bengaluru chapter, on Friday, September 29, organised a public thanksgiving service and reception for Fr Tom at the Good Shepherd auditorium, here, after his arrival from Delhi.

State home minister, Ramalinga Reddy representing the chief minister, other ministers, leaders and the government graced the occasion.

He said, "I once visited Don Bosco Church at Lingarajapuram and Chamrajpet. I like Christian missionaries. They are disciplined workers looking after education and health sectors. Nobody gives good health services like Christian missionaries. The missionaries are dedicated to their work and all that they are engaged in. Fr Tom was also doing dedicated work. Fr Tom's service-minded attitude helped him serve people here in Karnataka, and in Yemen," He then thanked all concerned for helping in Fr Tom's release.

Ramalinga Reddy who became home minister in the recent Siddharamiah cabinet re-shuffle, said, all nations together should work towards eliminating terrorism from the world.

Senior cabinet minister lauded the dedicated service of christian missionaries in education and health sectors.

Provincial of Bengaluru province Fr Joyce, thanked all present and those absent but actively participated with their prayers.  He said the  release of Fr Tom was due to a synergy created among all people for 556 days of his captivity. It was tough to maintain the balance. Fr Joyce expressed genuine gratitude to all who made sacrifices and offered prayers.

He said, "There is a way of looking at the mission. The difference is 'I have a mission' and 'I am a mission'. No doubt, it was a traumatic experience that Fr Tom had undergone. But his faith teaches others a lesson. The purpose-driven life comes to the fore through your 'being', and not just by your 'doing'. Any adversity brings a greater advantage. We do not say ‘we are proud of you’ rather we say ‘you are an inspiration to us'.".

Fr Tom said, "The culture of our country was highlighted focused when people of other religions prayed for his release, particularly the Hindus and Muslims. The Hindu and Muslim neighbours of his native place – Ramapuram, near Pala in Kottayam district, Kerala, prayed for him. The Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, three persons yet one God. All faiths believe in one God and 'I am the proof' of that.

This is a moral for all Indians who get together in prayer with one mind, heart and purpose. This prayer support gives value to the whole world.

Fr Tom thanked all, from the pope, to bishops, priests, and nuns, and then on to the little children who prayed for him.

Fr Tom repeatedly thanked all and said, God listens to our prayers.

He said he never cried or trembled. "Situations of this kind should only strengthen us as He answers our prayers. This might have happened to unite all of us belonging to all religions. It has taken 18 months to get the answer," he said.

Fr Tom thanked the minister for appreciating work done by the Don Bosco Fathers. He prayed that all have good faith and love in their hearts. Fr Tom blessed the minister, his family, the government and all the ministers and leaders of Karnataka.

Fr Tom in reply to a query from the audience said he was released on September 12, which he came to know later, as he was not sure of days and the time until he reached Oman and Muscat.

"On September 10, about 8.30 am, the captors told me, 'We are going to send you home, to Kerala'. I was asked to change clothes and was taken to a distant place but had to return to the same place where I was kept, but only after a long wait till around 12 noon. Again, I changed back into the old clothes. The following day, the same exercise was repeated and I was not sure whether I would be released. I was handed over to different groups till I reached Oman border where someone talked to me in English over the telephone and confirmed my release," he said.

Once the government of Oman took possession of him, the news spread.

Fr Tom said he prayed for the captors so that they would grow in their goodness as believed all have some goodness. He wished and prayed that all come to the path of love and goodness, and change their hearts, bringing a desired difference in them.

Earlier, Fr Jose Koickal, vice provincial and chief organiser, welcomed the minister and others. He also had accompanied Fr Tom from Delhi.

The function began with a prayer service and bhajans by Fr Gilbert Choondal and team from Kristu Jyoti College, Bengaluru. Fr Gilbert, professor at KJC, said at the outset that all were gathered to thank God for the safe return of Fr Tom.

“'I thank Almighty God' were the first words we heard from Fr Tom Uzhunnalil as he addressed the public for the first time after his release. These are our genuine sentiments too. We thank the Lord, for the great gift, the gift of his release. We also ask God to continue to bring peace in our midst. The world needs peace. Each one of us needs peace. All religions pray for this peace. Let us be united with all religions where people express prayer in their own ways," he said.

Fr Gilbert led the gathering into a prayer for peace, and a reading of the bible. He also urged the gathering to pray in silence for the 16 people who died, especially the four Sisters belonging to the Missionaries of Charity.

Fr Tom experienced God through the Word of God, that he read. A gospel passage was read out. Fr Gilbert intoned the canticle from the book of Samuel. He thanked God for Fr Tom. "Our gratitude goes to all people of good will who were involved in the release of Fr Tom in one way or the other, the entire world, irrespective of the dioceses, religious congregations, families, retreat centres and other faiths, who took up the cause of the release of Fr Tom with so passion and faith, filled with sacrifices and prayers. Let us thank God for all these people."

Six people shared and thanked God for Fr Tom - Alzira, Sudarshan, Sambath Mary, Susai  Palayam, Sr Felix, Mathew and Fr Joyce. After sharing their experiences, all received blessings from Fr Tom.

Fr Gilbert said One day at a time was a hymn very dear to Fr Tom during those 18 months. This hymn strengthened him. The hymn was sung on the occasion. Hymn was also sung to thank the Lord.

The prayer service concluded with Te Deum which means ‘We praise You Lord.’

Fr Boby Kannazhath compered the programme. Among other dignitaries present were archbishop Abraham Viruthikulangara of Nagpur, orthodox bishop and provincial, Guwahati and president, CRI, Fr V M Thomas.

The programme came to a close with a vote of thanks by Fr M K George.