Sinnott to fellow priests: Be fearless

Manila, Philippines -  Irish missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott, who was held captive by the Abu Sayyaf for about a month in 2009, flew back to Ireland, his homeland, last night.

The CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, yesterday said 82-year-old Sinnott boarded a 7 p.m. flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, after spending 42 years of missionary work in the country.

Sinnott’s work was focused in impoverished communities of Mindanao.

He told his fellow priests and missionaries that a true witness of Christ would be someone who is fearless.

“The Lord has told us over and over again not to fear, not to worry and not to be afraid that He will always with us. And looking back on my life there have been hard and difficult times but He was always there,” he said.

According to him, fearless witnesses are those who trust God’s presence, adding that the world needs people who will evangelize in a difficult world.

“My message to them is go ahead, trust the Lord. Try to be in contact with Him and develop a deep personal relationship with Him,” he added.

Sinnott said he is leaving the country with a heavy heart. “I was delighted when I was assigned to the Philippines and that delight has continued over the years. I found a very fulfilling life here. There were ups and downs, good and bad times but the Lord was always there to help me,” he said.

But even if he is Ireland, he would still keep in touch with his parishioners in Pagadian City and the children of “Hangop Kabataan”, a rehabilitation program for children with special physical needs, which he established in 1998.

“As I said I have left part of my heart here I will always remember them. That would be my constant prayer when I go home with the few years that I have,” added Sinnott.

Sinnott spent the rest of his missionary work in the Diocese of Pagadian for around 33 years until he was held captive by suspected ASG bandits for a month, from Oct. 11, 2009 until Nov. 12, 2009.

The priest was subsequently brought to the Columban’s regional house in Manila and was never again assigned in Mindanao.