Abducted Bangladeshi priest free ‎

A Bangladeshi Catholic priest who was abducted in the north-east on Monday, ahead of the visit of Pope Francis to the country, was found alive in Sylhet city on Friday. 

Father Walter William Rozario is said to have fled from his kidnappers and got in touch with his family, his elder brother Bimal Rozariao told Star Online.  Bimal said Fr. Walter contacted their younger brother Amol Rozario from Shyamoli bus stop in Sylhet’s South Surma upazila (sub-district). 

Vatican reporter in Dhaka, Sartre Xavier who has been in touch with the assistant parish priest of Fr. Walter, said Fr. Walter’s elder brother and the police have talked to the assistant parish priest about the rescue. 

Biblop Bijoy Talukdar, superintendent of police in Natore District, said a joint team of Natore and Sylhet police recued  Fr. Walter from the bus stop Friday afternoon.

The 41-year old parish priest of Maria Virgo Potens ‎Church, went missing in the evening of Nov. 27.‎  Sources in the parish told UCANEWS.com said the priest who is the headmaster of church-run St. Louis High School at Borni, was engaged in preparing for the Pope’s visit.  On Nov. 27, Father Walter went to the Bonpara Christian stronghold area to oversee printing of a souvenir magazine dedicated to two local deacons who were ordained by Pope Francis in Dhaka on Dec. 1.   He disappeared on his way back to his parish by motorbike.  Local Church officials filed a police report on the disappearance.

On Wednesday, his family members said that the abductors demanded Tk300,000 as ransom over mobile phone for release of the priest.