Sinnott back in RP, wants to resume work in Pagadian

Three months after his abduction and eventual release in Mindanao, Irish priest Michael Sinnott returned to the Philippines Friday night looking forward to resuming his missionary work in the country. Sinnott arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 10:35 p.m. Friday, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said on Saturday. He arrived aboard an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi. “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). Columban country director Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue and Fr. Michael McGuire met Sinnott at the NAIA Friday night. Sinnott had celebrated his 80th birthday in his home country Ireland last December 17.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV 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. He also met Ireland’s top government officials and relatives who came all the way from London. 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. - GMANews.TV