Bengaluru: A public thanksgiving service and a reception for Fr Tom was organized by Salesians and CRI (Conference of Religious India), Bangalore chapter at Good Shepherd Auditorium, Bengaluru on September 29. Fr Tom arrived in Bangalore on September 29 from Delhi where he met PM Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Tourism Minister K J Aphonse, MPs and several other dignitaries.

State Home Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, representing the chief minister, other ministers, leaders and the government graced the occasion. Speaking at the function, the senior cabinet minister lauded the dedicated service rendered by the Christian missionaries in sectors such as education and health sectors.

The Home Minister said he had once visited Don Bosco Church at Lingarajapuram and Chamrajpet. The service-minded attitude helped Fr Tom serving here in Karnataka and Yemen. The minister said, “I like Christian missionaries.” They are disciplined workers looking after areas of education and health sector. Nobody gives good health services like Christian Missionaries. The missionaries are dedicated to the work and all what they are engaged in, the minister added. Fr Tom also was doing a dedicated work. The ISIS terrorists had taken him hostage and kept him for one year and six months and eight days. It is a universal problem

Ramalinga Reddy who became Home Minister in the recent re-shuffle of the Siddharamiah cabinet, said all nations together should work towards eliminating terrorism from the world. The minister who spoke in Kannada thanked all concerned.

Provincial of Bangalore Province (consisting of Karnataka and Kerala), Fr Joyce, while thanking all present and those absent but actively involved with their prayers said it was (release of Fr Tom) a synergy created among all people for 556 days of captivity of Fr Tom. 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 a mission. What difference it makes is when I have a mission and I am a mission. No doubt, it was a traumatic experience that Fr Tom had undergone. His faith teaches others a lesson. The life of a purpose comes to the forefront “through your being, not only by doing but living presence.” Any adversity brings a greater benefit and advantage. We do not say ‘we are proud of you’ rather we say ‘you are inspiration to us’, added Fr Joyce who is also a popular musician among the Salesians.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr Tom said the culture of our country gets 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, Fr Tom said. This is the value for all Indians who got together in prayer with one mind, heart and purpose. This prayer support gives value to the whole world. Fr Tom thanked all from Popes, bishops, priests, nuns up to the children for the prayers. Fr Tom repeatedly thanked all and said God listens to our prayers. He said he never cried or shivered (trembled). Situations of this sort 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.

Fr Tom thanked the minister for his appreciating the 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, dates and the time until he reached Oman and Muscat. On September 10, about 8.30 am, the captors told him, “We are going to send you home – Kerala.” He was asked to change clothes (clothes given by them). He was taken to a distant place but had to return to the same place where he was kept but only after a long wait till around 12 noon. Again, he changed back into the old clothes. The following day, the same exercise was repeated and he was not sure whether he would be released. He was handed over to different groups till he reached Oman border where someone talked to him in English telephonically and confirmed his release, he said. Once, the government of Oman took possession of him, the news trickled.

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

Earlier, Fr Jose Koickal, Vice Provincial and chief organizer, welcomed the minister and others. He also had accompanied Fr Tom from Delhi.

The function began with a prayer service and singing bhajans conducted by Fr Gilbert Choondal and team from Kristu Jyoti College (KJC), Bengaluru. Fr Gilbert, a professor at KJC, said at the outset that all were gathered basically 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 together with Fr. Tom 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 in their own ways to pray.

In the first part, Fr Gilbert said we will listen, see and pray with all the faiths for peace and in the second part we will all join in the hymn to pray together (2 Sam.22:2-3). He said let us pray in silence for all the 16 people who died, especially the four Sisters belonging to the Missionaries of Charity.

Fr Tom experienced God through the Word of God which he prayed. A Gospel passage was read out. (Lk. 12: 5-7). Fr Gilbert intoned the canticle from the book of Samuel. He said, thank you Jesus for Fr Tom is a reality. 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, all irrespective of the dioceses, religious congregations, families, retreat centres and other faiths that took up the cause of the release of Fr Tom with so passionate and faith filled sacrifices and prayers. Let us thank God for all these people.

Six people shared and thanked God for Fr Tom. They included Mrs Alzira, a mother, catechist and a teacher; Mr Sudarshan, a Hindu, Lecturer and an initiator for a prayer programme with his Hindu and Muslim friends (for Fr Tom); Mrs Sambath Mary, from KGF, belongs to St. Joseph’s parish, Susai Palayam where Fr Tome worked earlier; Sr Felix MC, had several moments of spiritual practices offered for Fr Tom; Mr Mathew, elder brother of Fr Tom, as the family of Fr Tom is grateful to God and all the people of God and Fr Joyce, the Salesian Provincial of Bangalore. All of them after sharing their experiences 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 along with Fr Tom.

The prayer service concluded with Te Deum which means ‘We praise You Lord.’ This is an ancient hymn of the Church originated in the fourth Century. Traditionally, it is attributed to St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. This hymn is a prayer of praise and thanks to Trinity.

Fr Boby Kannazhath compered the programme. Among other dignitaries present were Archbishop Abraham Viruthikulangara of Nagpur, Orthodox Bishop and Fr V M Thomas, Provincial, Guwahati and President, CRI.

The entire programme came to a close with a vote of thanks by Fr M K George who was at Aden with Fr Tom for a few years. He was strictly asked not to go back. His escape from the place took several days and extremely risky.