ASIA/INDIA - Release of kidnapped priest: the Church thanks the Prime Minister

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Archbishop of Delhi, His Exc. Mgr. Anil Couto, has publicly thanked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment in the release of the Indian Jesuit Fr. Alexis Prem Kumar, who had been kidnapped in Afghanistan in June 2014.
The Archbishop met the Jesuit and some government officials saying: "We are very pleased that Fr. Prem Kumar is safe and sound. First of all we thank God. We appreciate and thank the role carried out by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government in securing his release and his safety", adding praise to those who "worked day and night for his release".
Kumar, who comes from Tamil Nadu, was working for the "Jesuit Refugee Service" (JRS) in Afghanistan.
The announcement of his release was given by the Prime Minister through the social network Twitter and then spread rapidly. According to observers this episode, added to Modi’s recent statements on the protection of minorities, can serve to a rapprochement between the Indian Christians and the government, in the past criticized for his inaction regarding violence against religious minorities in India. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/02/2015)