Fr Sean Collins CSsR, Merrivale, KZN – IT is a year and a half since jihadist militia in Mali kidnapped Colombian Franciscan Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti, 53, from her work of caring for orphaned children.
In February this year a video clip was released of Sr Gloria appealing to the pope, her religious order, and everybody to get her safely home.
Her captors, Nusrat-Al-Islam, have demanded an undisclosed ransom payment.
Since that video clip, there has been no further news or statement of progress in negotiating Sr Gloria’s release.
The silence is disconcerting. Can it be that we Catholics are unaware, or have forgotten, the plight of one of our most precious, invaluable members, a missionary Sister? Are we numbed into indifference by the avalanche of violence and atrocities worldwide and Africa-wide? Is the ransom price too high?
May I appeal to your readers to keep Sr Gloria, and all detained hostages, in mind, and to lobby persistently for her, and others also in her situation, so that every avenue possible is explored for her and their immediate release. Let our prayers not cease until then.
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