REPORTS of two sightings of an Irish priest kidnapped by an armed gang in the Philippines have been made by military informants to the country's defence forces.The sightings indicated that Fr Michael Sinnott (79), a native of Barntown in Wexford, was alive but accompanied by a group of heavily-armed captors.
The Columban priest was snatched from his compound in Pagadian city on Sunday evening while taking a walk and concerns have been expressed for his health.
The cleric underwent a heart bypass four years ago and is on regular medication.
The popular priest, known as Fr Mal, has been working with children in the Philippines for about 40 years, apart from a 10-year break in the 1970s and 1980s.
His superior in the Columban order, Fr Patrick O'Donoghue, said yesterday Fr Sinnott's health was fragile and he needed to take his daily medicine.
Fr O'Donoghue said although the order had not received any calls from any group claiming responsibility, they would not be giving in to any demands. "We won't give any ransom," he said.
An extremist Islamic group is thought to be behind the kidnapping and the sightings of the Wexford priest were made close to a stronghold of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
A provincial hostage crisis committee has been set up in a bid to persuade the kidnappers to free Fr Sinnott without a ransom, according to military commanders.
The Irish ambassador to Singapore, Dick O'Brien, is in the Philippines to monitor the situation and was last night trying to arrange a meeting with the foreign ministry.
Fr Sinnott regularly returns to Wexford and says Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Clonard during his visits home.
Prayers have been said throughout the diocese of Ferns this week for his safe return from captivity.
Appeal
Meanwhile, a total of 138 religious congregations united in an appeal for the safe return of Fr Sinnott after a general meeting in Dublin of the Conference of Religious In Ireland (CORI).
"It is difficult to understand how any group would want to hold Fr Michael Sinnott captive," said Sr Marianne O'Connor, CORI general secretary.
"He is elderly and not in good health, and like so many members of the Columban Missionaries, he has given his life to helping others.Our members are keeping Fr Michael in their thoughts and prayers."
In a statement CORI also said it hoped that ongoing discussions could lead to the safe release and return to her family and friends of Goal aid worker Sharon Commins who has now spent over 100 days in captivity in Sudan.
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