Fr Tom Uzhunnalil: the need of the hour is to forgive and love one another

Source: Vatican Radio, Mumbai News

Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, SDB, who was released after 18 months of captivity in Yemen, received the Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice by the Harmony Foundation in Mumbai on Sunday. Despite having had the opportunity to leave, he chose to serve in the Missionaries of Charity care home in war-torn Yemen. The Harmony Foundation recognised his compassionate humanity and dedication and commitment to his work in a location of great danger.

Fr Tom said freedom is not just doing whatever one wants to do. "It is doing the right thing at the right time and the right place."

"Freedom to love and forgive and prayer will lead us to true peace," he said. "Not war, not bullets, not rockets or guns, but the prayer is our greatest weapon. The Father of our Nation (Mahatma Gandhi) got us freedom not through bullets, but through satyagraha and prayers," he said.

The priest from Kerala was abducted in March 2016 by ISIS during a deadly attack on the care home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in the port city of Aden in Yemen. 16 people were killed, including four nuns. He was rescued in September this year.

Father Tom said he never felt terrorised in captivity. "If we surrender ourselves to God's will, he will give us grace, understanding and calmness of mind to remain peaceful from within and rest will be taken care of. I never had any dreadful dreams, nightmares, fear, trembling, sweating or anything like that," he said.

He said the need of the hour is to forgive and love one another.

"Avoid situations that will instigate people to revolt in life. Terrorists are created by community, if the communities can be forgiving there will be peace," he said.

Actor Priyanka Chopra and various organisations who work with refugees, were also presented the award at the function.