Elderly priest kidnapped

Michael Sinnott, a 79-year-old priest from Ireland, was abducted by six armed men on October 10 in the city of Pagadian near Zamboanga (Mindanao), Philippines as he was conducting evening prayers in his home. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for his kidnapping, an Islamist group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is the main suspect. There is great concern over the condition of Father Sinnott, who is known to be in frail health. According to reports, Filipino military informants spotted him and his captors on October 12 in Lanao del Sur province, some 70 kilometres from where he was abducted and then again in another location the following day. Father Sinnott has been serving in the Philippines for the past 40 years.

Pray that Father Sinnott's captors will release him unharmed. Pray for his health during this time of trial.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in southern Philippines, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    116,434,200 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Tagalog (26), Bisaya/Binisaya (14.3), Ilocano (8), Cebuano (8), Ilonggo (7.9), Bikol/Bicol (6.5), Waray (3.8), Kapampangan (3), other (22.5)

    Religion (%)
    Christianity (85.3), Islam (6.4), Other (8.2)

    Leader
    President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and customary law

    Statistics provided by CIA World Factbook.

  • Pray for the Philippines

    Pray for those in the various villages of Mindanao who have been victimized by rebel groups. May they not pursue any form of retaliation, acknowledging that vengeance belongs to God alone – the Righteous Judge. Instead, may these believers be granted His grace and strength to not only forgive the perpetrators but to also earnestly intercede for them. Let's join our Christian brothers and sisters by pray

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Philippines News

  • Christmas Celebrations Curtailed After Bombing
    Officials are investigating the scene of the attack.
    The scene of the bombing.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Provincial Government of
    Lanao del Sur - Public Information Office

    On December 3rd, a Catholic mass held at Mindanao State University was rocked by a bomb that killed four participants and wounded 45 others. (More details about this incident are available here.) Following the bombing, which was carried out by ISIS-affiliated terrorists, the church deemed it necessary to scale back on their upcoming Christmas celebrations.

    Read more...

  • Persecution & Prayer Alert
    christmas surely vomc lg


    "O come, Thou 'Rod of Jesse' [the Messiah],
    Free Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
    From depths of hell Thy people save,
    And give them victory o'er the grave."
    ~ These lyrics, based on Isaiah 11:1-5, are from the hymn,
    "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."
    Translated from Latin by John Mason Neale

    For many who receive the weekly "Persecution & Prayer Alerts," Christmastime brings to mind the imagery of joyful family celebrations, the enjoyment of peaceful carol music and, most importantly, the celebration of God's gift to humanity, as expressed through the birth of His Son Jesus. It's a season involving Christmas pageants, festive lights, gift-giving, and meaningful worship services of celebration. While the specific traditions may vary among individual families and churches, the primary purpose remains the same for all believers: to remember and celebrate the arrival of the "Promised Messiah."

    Read more...

  • Bomb Blasts Kill At Least Twenty
    Damage inside the Jolo Cathedral

    Coordinated bombs at a cathedral in Jolo, southern Philippines, killed at least 20 people and injured over 80 on January 27th. The first bomb went off during the church service; the second exploded outside the door, as people fled and troops responded to the disaster. Those killed included five soldiers. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the Philippines military has been conducting raids in an effort to track down those responsible.

    Read more...

  • Hostages Escape Militant Captivity
    A beach in the Philippines

    After a full three months of fighting, the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now in control of all but a half-kilometre grid square of Marawi city. To date, the battle has claimed the lives of 573 militants, 128 soldiers and police, and at least 45 civilians. The progress has been slowed and complicated by the fact that the militants -- those who pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State -- have planted numerous improvised explosive devices and retained civilian captives as human shields.

    Read more...

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