Fr Tom Uzhunnalil. Screengrab from the video released on YouTubeKochi: An Indian Catholic priest abducted from Yemen this year appealed to Pope Francis and the Union government through a purported video to secure his release from his captors.
"If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value," said priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil in a weak voice in the video, aired by news channels in Kerala.
"Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating," he said in the video, a day after Christmas.
Father Uzhunnalil, who looked very weak, appeared to be reading out from a text placed before him.
The veracity of the video, which was uploaded from You tube and Facebook, could neither be independently verified nor was the period when it was shot known.
Fr Tom Uzhunnalil's 'Yemeni friend' seeks to 'expose lies' of Indian govt
Devout Keralite priest refused to bow to terror tactics
Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kottayam in Kerala, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden.
He claimed his captors have made many contacts with the Government of India-president and prime minister.
"I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard," he said.
He said reports had said everything has been done to get his release, "but in reality nothing" has been done.
Father Uzhunnalil said a news reporter abducted in the Middle East was released as she was from France.
"I am from India and not considered. Dear people, I pray you all, ask you all, beg you all to do your might to help me to save my life. I need hospitalisation soon. Please come to my help quickly," he said.
The Union Government has said efforts are being made to secure Uzhunnalil's release, but such attempts take time.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier informed Parliament that prime minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen.
Swaraj had said it takes more time to secure release of people who are held captive and asked the MPs to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.
Efforts on to secure safe release of Fr Uzhunnalil: MEA
Reacting to the appeal by the abducted priest, the ministry of external affairs stated that it was in regular touch with countries in the Gulf region, especially Saudi Arabia and also the local Yemeni authorities.
"Our efforts continue in this regard," said an MEA statement.
Meanwhile, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Mar George Alencherry said that the efforts to secure safe release of Father Uzhunnalil should be expedited.
“Believers are saddened by the video of Father Uzhunnalil. The Catholic Church is making serious efforts to secure the release of the priest,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
