A superior of the Missionary Society of St. Columban (MSSC) based in the Philippines scored news reports stating their society have already made contact with the kidnappers of one of their priests assigned in Pagadian City.
Calling the reports as “disturbing and distressing,” Rev. Patrick O'Donoghue, MSSC regional director, said in a statement sent through email, that such were incorrect.
“They are inaccurate and I cannot understand why they would be published without verification,” said O'Donoghue.
In an update posted in MSSC’s online blog, Misyon, O'Donoghue was referring to a “breaking news” report published on Inquirer.net which said: “The abductors of Irish priest Michael Sinnott had made a call to his colleagues at the Columban Society in Pagadian City, Major General Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command chief, said Thursday.”
“I was alerted to this when Fr. Reno texted me from Dumalinao happy that at last we had some definite news and some way to dialogue with the kidnappers (or more likely those who are holding him, who may well be another group from those who actually abducted him),” the priest wrote.
“I checked the report and then got into action. Some of the contacts with the media over the last few days were helpful now. One thing I know for certain is that there was no call here from the abductors and no contact has been made as far as I know. I got word to the reporter and to her source. And I was able to forestall this on some media outlets by getting to them before they saw the report,” he went on saying.
“If some of the other reports are anything like this you would wonder about the accuracy of much of what is written. And this is not to criticise or blame reporters, who have been very helpful, but simply to point out that inaccuracy can get magnified if the facts are neglected. We all desire good news but it cannot be forced or fabricated.”
“So at the end of this day, I am still waiting, like all of us - wondering and hoping and praying that Father Mick is not suffering too much and longing that the captors would have a change of heart and allow him come home,” added O'Donoghue.
Sinnott, a native of Barntown, Co. Wexford, is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a Community Based Rehabilitation for Special Children (CBR). He was kidnapped by five gunmen last Sunday evening, Oct. 11, while taking his post-dinner stroll inside the Columban Residence .
It was learned that the elderly priest had a heart surgery several years ago and may be in frail health this time, given his urgent need of medication for his condition.
Last Monday, military officials disclosed they were able to track down Sinnott and his abductors near Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Sur.
As efforts were made to contact Sinnott’s captors and appealing for medicines to be sent for the ailing priest, a news report quoting Dolorfino said that the priest is in the hands of Guingona Samal or Kumander Ingo, a notorious pirate, and was later handed over to Kumander Latip Jamat of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Meanwhile, MILF spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said the Islamic group has no participation in Sinnott’s abduction, adding the MILF are doing all they can to help secure the freedom of the priest.
Also, the same report quoted Dolorfino as saying that an emissary of the kidnappers has already contacted the MSSC in Ozamiz City and that details of the conversations cannot be made available to the public.
“We cannot divulge what the emissary told the Columban priests. The important thing here is that there has been a contact with the kidnappers,” a Zamboanga City-based news weekly quoted Dolorfino as saying.
But O’ Donoghue rectified Dolorfino’s statement: “May I clarify that I personally have had no contact with anyone claiming to be one of the kidnappers or representing them. Nor am I aware of any member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban having contact with the kidnappers or their representatives.”
“I realize that these reports may be published in good faith and in the hope that Fr. Mick's release is imminent. But inaccurate statements, from whatever source, can cause confusion among the public and further anxiety and pain to those close to him.”
“They can also be unhelpful to the efforts to obtain his speedy and safe release. We would, therefore, like to appeal for understanding from everyone to be very cautious and discreet about issuing public pronouncements,” he added.
“I realize that these reports may be published in good faith and in the hope that Fr. Mick's release is imminent. But inaccurate statements, from whatever source, can cause confusion among the public and further anxiety and pain to those close to him.”
“They can also be unhelpful to the efforts to obtain his speedy and safe release. We would, therefore, like to appeal for understanding from everyone to be very cautious and discreet about issuing public pronouncements,” the Columban superior concluded.
Meanwhile, Fr. Seán Coyle, editor of Misyon, reiterated MSSC’s stand on ransom. “As most of you realized, the policy of the Church and the Columbans is that we do NOT pay ransom. And I have made this clear both to the authorities here and to the media when asked.”
“When called by a live program in Zamboanga City, I was asked what my message to the kidnappers was. ‘Simple and straightforward: Release Father Mick now. Recognise that you have made a mistake,” he said.
“Think of who he is - an old man who has given his life for peace and for others. Think of who he is to the Children of Hangop Kabataan and listen to what everyone is saying about him. There is a greater value than money in this - release him now out of compassion and you will know the appreciation of everyone that you can be compassionate'. God can change hearts,” he added.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Calling the reports as “disturbing and distressing,” Rev. Patrick O'Donoghue, MSSC regional director, said in a statement sent through email, that such were incorrect.
“They are inaccurate and I cannot understand why they would be published without verification,” said O'Donoghue.
In an update posted in MSSC’s online blog, Misyon, O'Donoghue was referring to a “breaking news” report published on Inquirer.net which said: “The abductors of Irish priest Michael Sinnott had made a call to his colleagues at the Columban Society in Pagadian City, Major General Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command chief, said Thursday.”
“I was alerted to this when Fr. Reno texted me from Dumalinao happy that at last we had some definite news and some way to dialogue with the kidnappers (or more likely those who are holding him, who may well be another group from those who actually abducted him),” the priest wrote.
“I checked the report and then got into action. Some of the contacts with the media over the last few days were helpful now. One thing I know for certain is that there was no call here from the abductors and no contact has been made as far as I know. I got word to the reporter and to her source. And I was able to forestall this on some media outlets by getting to them before they saw the report,” he went on saying.
“If some of the other reports are anything like this you would wonder about the accuracy of much of what is written. And this is not to criticise or blame reporters, who have been very helpful, but simply to point out that inaccuracy can get magnified if the facts are neglected. We all desire good news but it cannot be forced or fabricated.”
“So at the end of this day, I am still waiting, like all of us - wondering and hoping and praying that Father Mick is not suffering too much and longing that the captors would have a change of heart and allow him come home,” added O'Donoghue.
Sinnott, a native of Barntown, Co. Wexford, is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a Community Based Rehabilitation for Special Children (CBR). He was kidnapped by five gunmen last Sunday evening, Oct. 11, while taking his post-dinner stroll inside the Columban Residence .
It was learned that the elderly priest had a heart surgery several years ago and may be in frail health this time, given his urgent need of medication for his condition.
Last Monday, military officials disclosed they were able to track down Sinnott and his abductors near Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Sur.
As efforts were made to contact Sinnott’s captors and appealing for medicines to be sent for the ailing priest, a news report quoting Dolorfino said that the priest is in the hands of Guingona Samal or Kumander Ingo, a notorious pirate, and was later handed over to Kumander Latip Jamat of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Meanwhile, MILF spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said the Islamic group has no participation in Sinnott’s abduction, adding the MILF are doing all they can to help secure the freedom of the priest.
Also, the same report quoted Dolorfino as saying that an emissary of the kidnappers has already contacted the MSSC in Ozamiz City and that details of the conversations cannot be made available to the public.
“We cannot divulge what the emissary told the Columban priests. The important thing here is that there has been a contact with the kidnappers,” a Zamboanga City-based news weekly quoted Dolorfino as saying.
But O’ Donoghue rectified Dolorfino’s statement: “May I clarify that I personally have had no contact with anyone claiming to be one of the kidnappers or representing them. Nor am I aware of any member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban having contact with the kidnappers or their representatives.”
“I realize that these reports may be published in good faith and in the hope that Fr. Mick's release is imminent. But inaccurate statements, from whatever source, can cause confusion among the public and further anxiety and pain to those close to him.”
“They can also be unhelpful to the efforts to obtain his speedy and safe release. We would, therefore, like to appeal for understanding from everyone to be very cautious and discreet about issuing public pronouncements,” he added.
“I realize that these reports may be published in good faith and in the hope that Fr. Mick's release is imminent. But inaccurate statements, from whatever source, can cause confusion among the public and further anxiety and pain to those close to him.”
“They can also be unhelpful to the efforts to obtain his speedy and safe release. We would, therefore, like to appeal for understanding from everyone to be very cautious and discreet about issuing public pronouncements,” the Columban superior concluded.
Meanwhile, Fr. Seán Coyle, editor of Misyon, reiterated MSSC’s stand on ransom. “As most of you realized, the policy of the Church and the Columbans is that we do NOT pay ransom. And I have made this clear both to the authorities here and to the media when asked.”
“When called by a live program in Zamboanga City, I was asked what my message to the kidnappers was. ‘Simple and straightforward: Release Father Mick now. Recognise that you have made a mistake,” he said.
“Think of who he is - an old man who has given his life for peace and for others. Think of who he is to the Children of Hangop Kabataan and listen to what everyone is saying about him. There is a greater value than money in this - release him now out of compassion and you will know the appreciation of everyone that you can be compassionate'. God can change hearts,” he added.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA