(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Each Uzhunnalil family member is overcome with emotions as their beloved Father Tom is freed. He was abducted by terrorists in Aden in March last year.
There is relief and jubilation, in equal measure as Shaji Sebastian Uzhunnalil, a close relative spoke about the atmosphere in the family.
"Renewed hope and optimism has filled our hearts and replaced the despair and helplessness of past year-and-a-half. We all had toiled very hard. We had knocked on many doors. It felt like we were in a dark tunnel and now we have found light at the end of it," Sebastian said a day after Father Tom Uzhunnalil got freedom after 18 months of captivity.
Father Tom comes under the Bangalore diocese of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He had been to Abu Dhabi many times as the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia Bishop Paul Hinder is based at St Joseph's Cathedral in the Capital.
And Sebastian conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for the steps taken by Paul Hinder.
"Abu Dhabi Bishop used to console the family members and constantly followed-up the case. He gave all possible support and passed on all information at his hand to us. He has been a pillar of support in distress for all of us," Sebastian said. Father Tom's relatives and friends had been holding special prayers at his native village of Ramapuram in Kottayam district.
And Shajan Thomas Uzhunnalil from Ramapuram, another family member said all their prayers were finally answered. "It was a painful wait. I thank all the people who were involved in freeing our beloved Father Tom. We are all eager to see him in person. We had Uzhunnalil Family Group, which used to hold special prayers every Sunday. This is a vindication of our faith in God," Thomas said.Augustine Uzhunnalil, a lawyer from Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala, was all praise for the steps initiated by the Vatican and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman.
"I appreciate the efforts taken by all politicians from our state and the central government. This wasn't an easy operation for anyone."
Mary Devasia Uzhunnalil, also from Ramapuram, said all family members are waiting with high anticipation for the return on Father Tom. "I don't know how to react. I don't have enough words to express my feelings. This is an end of long wait and now it's over.
"I thank one and all, be it the governments, support groups, church, the Vatican, Abu Dhabi Bishop and all. There's a long list of people to thank. This really had been an expected chain of events for the entire family to endure," she added.
Father Tom in Rome for few days The Vatican has thanked all those who worked for the release of Father Tom.
"The Holy See fervently thanks all those who worked for his release, and especially His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and the competent authorities of the Sultanate," the Holy See Press Office Communique said.
"Father Uzhunnalil will remain for a few days in a Salesian community in Rome before going home to India," it added.
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