Tuesday, October 13, 2009

‘Everybody is now looking for Fr. Mick Sinnot’

AS concerns mount for the kidnapped Fr. Michael “Mich” Sinnott of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban (MSSC) assigned in Pagadian City, appeals from church leaders, civil society groups and government officials were aired to the kidnappers to free the ailing priest.

Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of the Pagadian Diocese joins the faithful and worried residents of the city in condemning the recent kidnapping of the Columban priest last Sunday evening at his residence.

In a press conference called by Gov. Aurora Cerilles last Monday afternoon, Cabajar took a minute a read his official statement and expressed his sadness on the unfortunate incident befalling to a church worker.

“The priests, religious and lay people of Pagadian Diocese are deeply saddened by the forcible abduction of Fr. Mick” who has worked for a long time in the diocese and is giving an invaluable service to the people, especially the children, through the Hangop Kabataan Foundation,” he said.

“As we urge the people to pray for his safety, we also appeal to his abductors to treat him with respect and release him soonest,” he added.

The bishop went on to say that Sinnot may not be in the best of health at this time, having had undergone a heart bypass operation a few years ago and must take his daily dosage of medicine.

“Whatever medicine he may have with him may only be good for a day. It is urgent that some arrangements be made to ensure that Fr. Mick takes his medicine,” an uneasy Cabajar said.

The prelate also aired his message to Sinnot’s kidnappers as he appealed for a show of humanity to the elderly priest. “My appeal to the good sense of the abductors to respect and provide Fr. Mick with all his needs, especially medical needs. He is a man of peace, please allow him to go back to his charitable work.”

Cerilles, meanwhile, asked the public “to unite and help in the immediate release of Fr. Mick.”

She said that any resident may do so by providing authorities any giving vital information that might be helpful and which may lead to the whereabouts of the Columban priest.

“Any information regarding his whereabouts please inform us,” Cerilles urged.

As for Mayor Samuel Co, he disclosed that the city government will give a cash reward to those who can provide accurate information on the location and situation of the priest and his abductors by simply texting 09089553238 and 09277153025.

It was learned that the crisis committee of the Provincial Peace and Order Council created a “Task Force Sinnott” to look for the kidnapped priest.

The special task force composed of Cerilles as chair and the NBI, PNP, PA 1st (Tabak) Division, Co, Cabajar and DILG Prov. Dir. Abcede Asjali as secretariat.

By Tuesday, a report from Manila forwarded to this paper said that Irish Ambassador to Singapore Richard O'Brien came over the country to to discuss Sinnott’s kidnapping with foreign ministry officials and police.

A MAN OF PEACE

Sinnot, who spent almost half of his age in Mindanao, mostly in the entire Zamboanga del Sur and in Pagadian City, is a native of Barntown, Co Wexford.

Soon to be 80 yrs old this Dec. 17, the Columban Father has been to many assignments, in Lanao del Norte and del Sur during the 50’s at the age of 24.

He took a brief vacation to Ireland in 1966 where he was appointed as a theology staff in Dalgan Park, Navan in Ireland. In 1973, he was transferred to Zambosur serving in various pastoral works of the MSSC.

His abduction came a day after President Gloria Arroyo visited Pagadian City and almost three weeks after security forces recovered in Basilan the three kidnapped teachers from Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Zamboanga Sibugay last March.

As of press time, authorities do not yet know who is behind the abduction as no group has claimed responsibility.

Two working students witnessed Sinnot’s abduction that evening and said they saw Sinnot mauled and forcibly taken by his kidnappers. Both were subjected to therapy and counseling after being traumatized.

Sister Auring Luceño, one of the lay missionary who knows Fr. Sinnott for 16 years said that the priest is a nonchalant person.

“He is a man of peace. He does not want to make any comment to any issues and problems he heard except advice us just to pray for the solution,” she said.

“I can not believe why Fr. Mick was kidnapped. He is a good and peace loving person,” Daisy Reyes, a parish worker of San Jose Parish Church likewise told this paper.

Reyes recalled that on Sept. 24, while accompanying Sinnott in his trips to Iligan, Kapatagan, Karomatan and Malabang, the people there called the priest by his first name. Sinnot then told her that the reason why he was easily recognized in the area was because of his previous duties as a young missionary in Lanao.

REPORT BY JONG CADION