Fr. Mick Sinnott back in the Philippines

January 27, 2010 at 8:31 am | Posted in Philippines | Comments Off

Three months after his abduction and eventual release in Mindanao, Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott returned to the Philippines on Friday, January 22, 2010, looking forward to resuming his missionary work in the country.

“It’s very nice to be back and am looking forward to going back to my work in Pagadian,” he said in an article posted on the CBCP news site (www.cbcpnews.com).

Fr. Sinnott had celebrated his 80th birthday in his home country Ireland last December 17.

The missionary is hoping to return to his post in Mindanao, “to do the little bit I can for as long as I can.”

He said he remained very optimistic that his superiors would allow him to return to Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur soonest.

Also, Sinnott thanked all the Filipinos who had prayed for his safety.

“I was amazed when I came out of here there were a lot of people who prayed for me and I would like to thank them very, very sincerely from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Sinnott said his visit to Ireland last December gave him the time to be with his relatives and friends.

Armed men abducted Sinnott in Pagadian City October 11, and released him to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front November 12. The MILF later turned him over to government.

He flew to Ireland with Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue last December 2.