BREAKING: FR. Tom Uzhunnalil ~ "there is still basis for hope that Father Tom is alive" reports the Archdiocese of Vienna

A report from Abu Dhabi indicates that Fr. Thomas Uzhunnalil, abducted by Islamist terrorists (either ISIS or an affiliated Sunni group) on March 4th of this zear, may still be alive.

This blog had reported, based on information from a public statement of Cardinal Schönborn made during the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, at the Stephansdom in Vienna, that Fr. Tom had been crucified on Good Friday. Bishop Paul Hinder, of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia has said this is not true. 

Let us continue our prayers for Fr. Tom, and for the softening of the hearts of his abductors. Let us praz for their conversion. 

From Daijiworld:

Bishop Paul Hinder of Southern Arabia, statoned in Abu Dhabi, capital of UAE, told the Catholic News Agency that he has 'strong indications that Fr. Tom is still alive in the hands of the kidnappers.'

'Cardinal Schönborn has already corrected his statement which he had made on the basis of the wrong statement of Archbishop Moras in Bangalore.'

A spokesperson for the cardinal yesterday admitted that while he did say that the priest had been crucified, he had no confirmation of Father Thomas' fate.

'The cardinal based his statements on news published on Arabic language web sites. The validity of this information has, however, not been confirmed,' said Archdiocese Vienna's head of media relations, Michael Prüller.

'The cardinal doesn't himself have any sources that have confirmed the death of Father Tom.

'Thus, for the time being, there's still basis for hope that Father Tom is alive,' said Prüller.